This Is Cheshire

Couple's benefit fraud paid for USA holidays

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 27th Feb 2003.

A SANDBACH couple have pleaded guilty to a string of benefit fraud offences amounting to more than £10,000.

Andrew and Lesley Richards, of Coleridge Close, pleaded guilty to the deception at South Cheshire Magistrates Court.

Mrs Richard pleaded guilty to four charges of dishonesty, while her husband admitted three offences.

The court heard how Mr Richardson had for three years pretended to be his partner's landlord, providing her with a letter saying she was paying rent.

She then claimed housing and council tax benefit from Congleton Borough Council.

The court was told how they even kept up the deception through visits by the council's benefits team.

Mrs Richardson continued her dishonesty while under caution, claiming she had not received a divorce settlement from her estranged husband. In fact she had received more than £23,000.

Throughout the period of deception, from May 1999 to January 2002, Mr Richards had been in well-paid employment and the couple defrauded some £10,007.

The court heard how they spent the extra cash on holidays in America - the couple married in Florida in spring 2002.

Defending, Roger Badman told how his clients had already repaid some £9,200 of the debt and would pay the remainder later that day.

He said their relationship had been rocky and they had taken the money as a way of keeping some kind of independence.

Describing the offences as the 'worst kind of deception', the district judge adjourned the case until March 10 for pre-sentence reports.

A spokesman from the council's benefits team said: "It shows to what lengths people go to get extra money, which should be going to those in need."

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