Benefit fraudster, 45, took £6,500 in carer's allowance while working for Age Concern
A BENEFIT fraudster who took £6,500 in carer’s allowance despite having another job has been to complete 80 hours’ unpaid work.
Age Concern part-time worker Samantha Read, 45, of Grove Avenue, Portchester, admitted lying about how much she was paid when she applied for the benefit as she was caring for a friend.
Between May 29 in 2017 and May 19 in 2019, mum-of-two Read pocketed £6,577.60. She is now repaying it voluntarily at the rate of £160 a month.
Read admitted benefit fraud at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.
District judge Gary Lucie imposed a community order with 80 hours’ unpaid work and an £85 victim surcharge.
Sentencing, the judge said: ‘It’s a relatively high amount of money, and it was dishonest.
‘Because of your age and the fact that you have no previous convictions it’ll remain at community order level.’
Read has already paid back some over-payments, but still needs to pay £5,750.
Edward Hayes, mitigating, said: ‘She’s ashamed to find herself before you today.’
He added: ‘It’s clear from the application form that she declared the employment but she did not declare the true remuneration.’
Read is returning to work after being diagnosed with sepsis last year when she ‘nearly died,’ Mr Hayes said.