THREE mothers have been sentenced for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
The three women were taken to court by Fylde Council after it discovered they had failed to update their details, which would have affected how much they could receive in housing and council tax benefits.
Each was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay some of the court costs.
Blackpool Magistrates’ Court heard Julie Bennett, 57, of Chapel Walks, Kirkham, told the council she was a single parent working part time.
She failed to inform officers when she started a second job, increasing her income by between £500 and £750 a month.
She was given an 18-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Doreen Perkin, 41, of Sherwood Road, Lytham was given a 24-month conditional discharge for receiving £7,887 in benefits as a single parent of two children with a part-time job.
The court heard Perkin had changed her employment, increasing her income, and was living with a new partner who was in work and contributed to the household costs.
The court heard Perkin’s partner was seen leaving the property on several occasions.
She was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
Susan Burns, of Wesham Park Drive, Wesham, was also given a 24-month conditional discharge for fraudulently claiming £4,661 between April 2009 and November 2011.
She was charged with failing to inform Fylde Council of changes to her circumstances after a new job increased her monthly pay by £322.
Burns, 43, was ordered to pay £150 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the hearings, Coun Karen Buckley, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “Taxpayers are happy to support people in real need.
“No-one wants to support someone who is cheating the system – and Fylde Council will check on suspicious claims.
“Some people will always be tempted to cheat, but Fylde Council checks claims very carefully.”
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