Bloxwich benefit cheat sentenced

A care assistant from Bloxwich falsely claimed more than £5,000 in benefits after failing to reveal she was in employment.

Sarah Bracknall wrongly received housing and council tax benefits over an 18-month period.

The 35-year-old appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court, where she was warned a custodial sentence could be imposed.

Bracknall, of Well Lane, Bloxwich, claimed the money between August 2006 and January 2008.

Mrs Kerry Munro, prosecuting for Walsall Council, reckone she had benefited from a total of £5,173.11.

Investigations showed Bracknall had received an overpayment of £4,202.64 in housing and £970.47 in council tax benefits.

Mrs Munro claimed they had set up interviews three times but Bracknall had not attended. She pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances at the court.

The hearing was also told she was prosecuted by the Department for Works and Pensions for falsely claiming £1,815 over a year-long period. She was fined £175 last September.

Mr Rob Perry, defending, added Bracknall hadn't attended the interviews as she believed the offence was encompassed in the previous proceedings.