A Caerau woman has pleaded guilty to five offences at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court after falsely claiming over £13,000 in Council benefits.
Helen O’Hara, of Heol Pantyderi, Caerau, was prosecuted for five offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 after falsely claiming £13, 072.49 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit between November 2004 and July 2009.
In her claim forms, Ms O’Hara stated that she lived on her own in a privately rented property at Heol Pantyderi, however, it was discovered that the alleged landlord of the property was Ms O’Hara’s partner and father of her children. The fraud came to light during an alternative investigation into the alleged landlord.
As a result of her conviction, the court ordered that Ms O’Hara serve a nine week prison term suspended for 12 months as well as 100 hours unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £250 costs.
Ms O’Hara has since moved to the Pontyclun area.
Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman, said: “This sends out a strong message that Cardiff Council will not tolerate benefit cheats. I hope this prosecution acts as deterrence to anyone thinking about benefit fraud that if you try to cheat the system you will get caught”.
