A benefit fraudster who raked in over £40,000 in taxpayers money despite working for five years, has been found guilty and sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years (12 July 2010).
Janet Bowen of 32 Mitchell Way, St Raphael’s Estate, has been ordered by Harrow Crown Court to wear a tag for the next four months, abide by a curfew and has entered into an arrangement with Brent Council to pay back all the money she falsely claimed.
Bowen started claiming benefits back in 1999 after suffering depression following the death of her son which left her unable to work.
But a joint investigation between the Job Centre Plus and the council revealed she had been receiving benefits and working for five years between 2003 and 2008.
Not content with the money she was receiving from the state, Bowen bagged herself two jobs. One as a supervisor with F.E Thorpe’s and Sons taking home £2,500 a month and soon after leaving that post, in 2007, got a casual drivers job with Brent Community Transport earning her more than £1,300 a month.
In an interview with investigators Bowen admitted to working and failing to declare her employment to the relevant authorities and pleaded guilty to four counts of benefit fraud at court.
Simon Lane Head of Audit and Investigations said: “The benefit system for many can act as a support during difficult periods in their lives. Once a persons circumstances change then they have a duty to notify the council so we can stop making payments and direct the money to where it’s needed most.
“The system was there for this woman when she needed it most. Unfortunately however, she took the decision to abuse it for five years - and got caught.”
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