Mother admits £17,000 benefit fraud

2:23pm Monday 3rd March 2008

A MOTHER of three from Dursley has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud after falsely claiming more than £17,000.

Victoria Checksfield, 26, of Somerset Avenue, admitted charges under the Social Security Administration Act at Stroud Magistrates Court last week.

It was claimed that between August 2004 and October 2006 Checksfield dishonestly claimed housing benefit and income support from the Department for Work and Pensions and a council tax discount from Stroud District Council. During the two years Checksfield claimed £17,058.

Will Palmer, prosecuting, said in August 2004 Checksfield married Mark Checksfield, who was in full time employment earning £13,000 a year, but Mrs Checksfield did not tell the department or Stroud District Council of the changes in her circumstances for two years.

Chris Coleman, mitigating, said Checksfield did start to make legitimate claims for benefits in February 2003 but despite getting married in 2004 decided she still needed to receive the benefits she had been claiming.

Mr Coleman said: "Mrs Checksfield was supporting two children and felt there was no money coming in from her husband and felt if she kept receiving her benefits she would be able to keep supporting her family."

Mr Coleman said Checkfield's marriage had since ended, but not before two children from a previous marriage were returned to their biological father. Checksfield also gave birth to a third child in September 2006.

Mr Coleman said: "The situation has now changed for the better. The relationship has ended.

"Her two other children still live with their father and she still cares for the youngest. She hopes the other two will be returned.

"Mrs Checksfield is now again making legitimate claims for benefit. She is thinking of going to college and hoping to secure employment. She has also admitted to me that for the first time in a few years she might have something of a future."

Checksfield, who is making weekly repayments to the Department for Work and Pensions of £12, was given a three year conditional discharge by magistrates and did not have to pay costs.

Chairman of the bench Mark Johnson said: "You admit you knew it was dishonest. It was an offence against the community and for a considerable period of time but you were of previous good character and you are making repayments."

Editor's Choice