Woman punished for £4,500 benefit fraud

A clampdown on benefit fraud has seen a Windsor woman punished in court.

Katie Herridge, formerly of Stuart Way, Windsor, pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to notify a change in circumstances when claiming housing and council tax benefit.

She did not inform the Royal Borough that she was no longer entitled to income support and continued to receive more than £4,500 in overpayment of housing and council tax benefits in total, between May 8 and October 26, 2007.

At Maidenhead magistrates court on Friday, June 27, she was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £175.

Royal borough council leader David Burbage, said: "We want to send out a very clear message that we will take very firm and strong action against anyone who attempts to cheat the benefit system."