Benefits Cheat Jailed

10 December 2012, 15:11 | Updated: 10 December 2012, 16:19

A benefit cheat from Hertfordshire has been jailed for three months for falsely claiming £38,000.

48 year old Mrs Denise Blackwood from Borehamwood, said she could not work but had actually been employed as a carer and had jobs at both Toys R Us and Greggs. Prosecutor Mark Mullins told St Albans Crown Court that Mrs Blackwood had been overpaid.

Disability Living Allowance of £6,305, Income Support of £19,186 and Housing and Council Tax Benefit amounting to £13,276.

Fraud investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council had been jointly investigating Mrs Blackwood since 2010. When interviewed by fraud investigators, Mrs Blackwood admitted working because she needed the money even though she had told benefits staff she couldn't go out and speak to people.

Blackwood, from Torworth Road, pleaded guilty to six charges of benefit fraud.  Mrs Blackwood was previously a resident of South Oxhey.