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Burnley mum falsely claimed £6,000 in benefits

2:04pm Thursday 20th May 2010 in News By Wendy Barlow , Court reporter

A MOTHER of five lied her way to almost £6,000 in benefits from Burnley Council, a court was told.

Vicky Hodgson, 36, got housing and council tax benefits without declaring she was receiving child tax credits.

Hodgson clajmed she knew nothing about the tax credits even though officials found the payments were being made in her name and into her bank account, the town's magistrates heard.

Hodgson, who went on to claim she sent payments to her ex-partner, finally owned up.

She was overpaid £4,618.99 in housing benefits and £1,305.17 in council tax benefits, between October 2007 and June 2009.

The defendant, of Pheasantford Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of dishonestly making false statements on or about November 9, 2007.

She was given a 12 month community order, with a three month curfew, seven days a week, between 10pm and 7am.

She must pay £300 costs.

Comments(6)

Truth will out says...
5:49pm Thu 20 May 10

Make her pay back every penny with interest and the costs also.

Thieving scum. Stop her benefits until she works as no doubt we're paying for her kids as well.

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ste.g says...
7:03pm Thu 20 May 10

yep.im surprised there hasnt been more comments on this article?im beginning to wonder if the majority on here all day are on benefits to?????
it does make you wonder.

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AG1998 says...
10:37pm Thu 20 May 10

Personally I would not know how to go about claiming benefits. But it appears to me that this kind of thing would not happen if each claimant was allocated a dedicated benefit officer who sorted all entitlement out as a one stop shop. This combined with a single benefits computer system would easily stop benefit cheats! This would also save a shedload of money which could be put to better use elsewhere.

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bankhall says...
10:25am Fri 21 May 10

The defendant, of Pheasantford Street, Burnley, and the best bit is she has just had her house done up by elevate on more of our money bizarre you couldn't make it up.

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MR. ANON says...
5:51pm Fri 21 May 10

It's a pity the authorities don't come down as hard on the fkn thieving MP's that have screwed every taxpayer in the country. Sorry. Silly me. The thieving fks ARE the authorities!!

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andy1 says...
9:21pm Fri 21 May 10

MR. ANON wrote:
It's a pity the authorities don't come down as hard on the fkn thieving MP's that have screwed every taxpayer in the country. Sorry. Silly me. The thieving fks ARE the authorities!!
Totally agree and the Rich etc who dodge tax. Funny we never hear about these parasites who leech off us.

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