AN ABERTILLERY woman has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud of more than £1,600.
Christina McGriele, aged 50, of Glan Ebbw, Blaina, pleaded guilty at Caerphilly Magistrates Court on Thursday, for two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefit. The first count was in relation to housing benefit, between October 27, 2013, and January 20, 2014, she failed to disclose to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council that she was in receipt of income as her husband was working.
The second count is in relation to failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions that McGriele’s husband has been working which affected her entitlement to income support between October 27, 2013 and January 20, 2014.
The court heard that McGriele had received overpayments of £941.96 in housing benefit and £735.68 in income support. The sums have been recovered.
McGriele was given a community penalty of 12 months and will have to wear an electronic tag for 28 days and £145 in costs.
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