Suspended sentence for fraud mum

11:41am Saturday 10th May 2008

A MOTHER who claimed £5,568 in benefits she was not entitled to has been struggling with depression and her daughter's behavioural problems.

Jane Graham admitted four charges of false representation after receiving overpayments in income support during a five-and-a-half year period.

The mother of one, of Norton, near Evesham, was claiming income support and child benefit because she was unemployed. She began working again in 2001 but failed to tell the Department for Work of Pensions (DWP) about the change in circumstances.

She was also receiving child maintenance payments for her nine-year-old daughter from her former partner between 2001 and 2005.

Graham was interviewed under caution by DWP staff in December 2006 after it came to light that she was working. She admitted working for Worcestershire County Council at Swan Lane First School, Evesham, and another firm.

Ruth Edwards, prosecuting, said Graham was interviewed again in January 2007 when it was discovered she had been working at the school for longer than previously admitted.

The interview was suspended when further evidence was uncovered of her working elsewhere and DWP officials had to interview her on two further occasions, in March and June, before they could "get to the bottom" of the saga.

Mrs Edwards said Graham, who also receives a carer's allowance, already had £1,700 outstanding from a previous overpayment after she failed to declare maintenance payments.

Barry newton, defending, said Graham had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He said "She would have been earning £45 to £50 a week so it is not a case of avarice or greed".

"She previously suffered with depression and general malaise and these proceedings have caused her depression once more."

Mr Newton said Graham had "had her hands full" with her daughters behavioural problems and to jail the 38-year-old would mean a high risk of the child having to go into care. Worcester magistrates gave Graham a 12-week sentence suspended for a year. She was also ordered to do 180 hours unpaid work and pay £75 court costs.

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