Mum of four convicted of benefit fraud

A mother of four pleaded guilty to two counts of benefit fraud for failing to tell Bury Council that her partner was living with her.

Cherella Gibbs continued claiming Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support as a single parent even though her partner had moved in to her home.

Gibbs (aged 30) of Lord Street, Radcliffe initially claimed that her partner lived with his mother. However, investigators looked into the case following a tip-off from a member of the public.

They found that her partner, who works full-time, was the father of her youngest child and that he and Gibbs were in fact engaged.

Surveillance showed that he left Gibbs’ home each morning to travel to work and returned there afterwards. Enquiries showed that they had been engaged since October 2012 and that he was registered at her address for credit purposes and with his employer.

She incorrectly claimed £5,661 in benefit payments and is now required to pay the money back.

At Bury Magistrates on Tuesday (4 February 2014), Gibbs was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work and required to pay costs totalling £250.

ENDS

Press release issued: 11 February 2014.