Woman with £50k in bank had benefits

A woman claimed more than £6,000 in benefits despite having £50,000 in the bank, a court heard.

Dawn Jones, aged 45, from Bassett Road, Wednesbury, said she did not disclose her savings because they were in a bank account in her daughter's name.

However, it was established the money belonged to Jones and yesterday she pleaded guilty to 12 offences under the Social Security Administration Act.

Mrs Tharan Biring, prosecuting on behalf of Sandwell Council, told West Bromwich Magistrates Court application forms for housing and council tax benefits between 2003 and 2007 did not declare that Jones was a joint owner of a property in Pembroke Road, West Bromwich.

The court heard she had bought the property with her ex-husband in 1997 for £46,000. It was then sold in July 2005.

Mrs Biring said when Jones was interviewed she admitted she stated that she was no longer working due to health problems.

She said she was aware that savings and capital had an impact on council tax benefits and admitted that she held £50,000 in savings, including money from the sale of the property and her divorce in an account in her now eight-year-old daughter's name and she did not think she had done anything wrong.

She also said some of the money had come from a £1,000 bingo win and the rest of the money had been saved from presents and gifts given to her daughter for birthdays.

Mrs Biring said: "She had not declared the savings because they belonged to her daughter even though it was established it belonged to her and she wanted to give it to her daughter."

The court heard Jones was overpaid £5,618 in housing benefit between March 2004 and August 2008 and £713 council tax benefit between April 2004 and August 2008.

"All of the money has since been repaid.

Mr David Grice, defending, said: "She is extremely mortified about what happened. There was no dishonesty. She should have, of course, disclosed she was the joint owner and should have notified the benefits agency of that when the capital did come to her.

"She was anxious to preserve anything she could for her daughter and that to some extent clouded her judgement.

"This lady has been absolutely devastated by these court proceedings and of course has paid all the money back."

Presiding magistrate Mrs Christine Jones, said: "We have considered this case very carefully and in view of the fact that you entered an early guilty plea and all the money has been paid back and your obvious remorse we will make you the subject of a conditional discharge for two years."

Jones was also ordered to pay costs of £240 and a £15 victim surcharge.