A CRIME reduction worker claimed more than £12,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.
Linda Burns, of School Lane, Childer Thornton, pleaded guilty to an overpayment of £12,064.07 in housing benefit, council tax benefit, income support and incapacity benefit.
The 59-year-old was sentenced at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, June 4 after admitting eight offences of dishonestly failing to promptly notify Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Department for Work and Pensions of the change in her circumstances.
Burns began her job at crime reduction charity Nacro, on July 14, 2007 and kept working until July 17 last year, working with young offenders but claiming a variety of benefits at the same time.
Andrew Slight, defending, said: “She has found the whole proceedings very stressful and is very keen for me to stress how ashamed she is of her actions.
“There’s a long-standing history of severe depression and she has been admitted to the mental health unit on three separate occasions.
“She was encouraged by the medical professionals to go out and seek work to assist her in combating her depression.”
Mrs Burns is required to fully repay the overpaid benefit to Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Probation reported Burns as being “very concerned” that she would lose her job, saying that her employer had so far been very supportive in helping her rebuild her life following a previous mental illness.
District judge Nicholas Sanders imposed a community punishment order of 180 hours unpaid work to be completed in 12 months.
If you think someone you know is claiming benefit that they are not entitled to, ringing 0300 123 7030, go to www. cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or email fraud@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. All information will be treated in confidence.
