Four fraudsters have been convicted in a week, as Cambridge City Council continues its clamp down on benefit fraud.
On Thursday 7 January, Mrs Christine Findlay, 54, of Ross Street appeared at Cambridge Magistrates Court. A joint investigation between the city council and the Department for Work and Pensions established that her husband had worked for almost three years, but she hadn't revealed this to the authorities, thus taking more than £20,500 of public funds she wasn't entitled to.
She will serve a two-year supervision order and also be subject to a six-month curfew. The money is being recovered from her and she was also ordered to pay costs.
On Thursday 14 January, two more fraudsters appeared at the court. They were Mrs Faima Begum, 31, of Augustus Close and Miss Kelly Fairhurst, 34, previously of Shenstone House.
Mrs Begum pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud after the Council discovered that she was being paid to host foreign students but not declaring this. She took more than £1,500 of tax payers' money, which is being recovered from her. The magistrates gave her a £140 fine, and ordered her to pay costs to the Council.
Miss Fairhurst, who also took public money she was not entitled to, received a £90 fine and was also ordered to pay costs.
On the same day, but at the Ely Sessions House, Mr Jonathan Houghton, 40, previously of Minerva Way, was being sentenced following another joint investigation. He had claimed benefits on the basis of a disability, but was actually working as a taxi driver. His deception had netted him more than £16,600, which he has to pay back.
The magistrates ordered that he serve a two-year supervision order, as well as a three-month curfew. He was also instructed to pay costs.
Mr John Frost, Head of Cambridge City Council's Revenue and Benefit Services stated: "Benefit fraudsters steal from our community, and will not be tolerated. Anyone who tries to commit this crime will face the consequences."
