Stockport Woman Pleads Guilty to Benefit Fraud
| Published: 10th October 2008 19:50 |
A Stockport woman pleaded guilty to three counts of fraudulently obtaining benefit totalling over £8,049 and was sentenced at Stockport Magistrates Court on Tuesday 7th October.
Catherine Vossoughi, aged 47, of Larkhill Road, Cheadle Hulme, was prosecuted for failing to declare that she had received almost £120,000 whilst claiming benefit to help pay her rent, council tax and daily living expenses, thereby obtaining benefits fraudulently from Stockport Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Mrs Vossoughi, was given a 12 month Community Order to include 80 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £150 costs.
The theft of public money was discovered by Stockport Council and was jointly investigated by them and the Department for Work and Pensions.
The overpayments of Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are to be repaid and are separate from the court action.
Councillor John Pantall, Executive Member for Customer Focus, said: "Benefit fraud will not be tolerated in Stockport and the Council will look to prosecute those individuals who look to cheat the system."
People can report fraudulent claims by contacting 0800 328 6340. It is part of a package of measures to ensure those who need benefit are encouraged to take it up, while fraudulent claims are deterred and detected.
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