Suspended jail term for Quarry Bank benefits fraudster (From Stourbridge News)

Suspended jail term for Quarry Bank benefits fraudster

3:48pm Monday 7th January 2013 in Local

A QUARRY Bank woman who fraudulently claimed more than £26,534 in benefits has been given a suspended jail term.

Jacqueline Mills, of Coppice Lane, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison - suspended for two years - for claiming Tax Credits, Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit that she not entitled to.

The 43-year-old had stated she was a lone parent from June 2010 to November 2011 when in fact she maintained a common household with her partner who was in full-time paid employment.

She pleaded guilty to offences under the Tax Credits Act 2002 and the Social Security Administration Act 1992 following a joint investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - and was sentenced at Dudley Magistrates Court on Friday January 4.

Adrian Farley, assistant director of investigation for HM Revenue & Customs, said: “Jacqueline Mills was interested only in lining her own pockets and knew exactly what she was doing when she claimed benefits to which she was not entitled.

“We recognise it is only a minority that are exploiting the system but would encourage anyone with information relating to tax credit fraud to call the Benefits Anti Fraud Helpline on 0800 854 440 in total confidence.”