Fraud Costs Freedom

A woman from Sandy who falsely claimed benefits will now have to comply with a three month curfew (between 8pm and 7am) after she was found guilty at Bedford Magistrates Court and sentenced on 18 October to a three month Community Order with the curfew element attached.

Sharon Pyrah claimed over £9,000 in Housing and Council Tax benefits from Mid Beds District Council over more than 18 months.
 
In order to obtain the benefit she furnished a false Benefit application form, in which she stated she was a Lone Parent, when in fact her husband had never left her.
 
An investigation was initiated following a routine Data-Match exercise with information held by other organisations, which identified a discrepancy on her claim.

J Luckman, Fraud Manager at Mid Beds said: "The Council is committed to ensuring that whilst deserving cases receive all the help they are entitled to, vigorous action is taken against people trying to cheat the system.  If you suspect someone is fraudulently claiming please call us in confidence on 01462 611 150."
 
In addition, Mrs Pyrah will also have to repay the overpaid Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit overpayment of £9,388.10.