TWO benefit fraudsters have been prosecuted after illegally claiming more than £15,000.
The pair were brought to court as part of a crackdown on benefit cheats by Vale Royal Borough Council.
Donald Matthews, of Princess Street, Northwich, pleaded guilty to six charges relating to failure to declare
capital when claiming housing and council tax benefits. Matthews unlawfully received £11,560.59 in overpayments.
Magistrates ordered him to pay a £2,000 fine and costs of £535 to Vale Royal Borough Council.
Mona Lindberg, of Dart Walk, Winsford, pleaded guilty to three charges related to provision of false in formation while claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit.
Lindberg received overpayment of £3,791.70 as a result of undeclared income. She was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs.
Sue Hodgkinson, housing benefits manager at Vale Royal Borough Council, said: 'The council, and the courts, treat benefit fraud - of any kind - as a very serious matter.
'Not everyone who was prosecuted on Friday attended their interview under caution, however. This just goes to prove that it will not stop us bringing a successful prosecution.
'The council will continue to crack down on this sort of crime.'
