A former Wistow resident now living at Milksike Lea, Moor Road, Stamford Bridge, who pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming £10,853 in benefits from Selby District Council and £3,111 in benefits from The Department for Work & Pensions has been sentenced in a case heard today (Monday 5 March).

Catherine Holtby, formerly of Cobblers Cottage, Pinfold Hill, Wistow pleaded guilty on 22 November 2011 at Selby Magistrates Court and was sentenced today at York Crown Court on five counts of benefit fraud for false representation.  Holtby was sentenced to a six-month Community Order.  No costs were given to Holtby as she currently has no income.

Offence 1: On or about 25 October 2010 did dishonestly make false representation to Selby District Council by letter stating she was no longer resident at Cobblers Cottage, Pinfold Hill, Wistow from August 2010 when in fact she had vacated in September 2009, with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment of advantage under the social security legislation, contrary to section 111(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by section 13 Social Security (Fraud) Act 1997.

Offence 2: On or about 24 February 2010 did dishonestly make false representation to The Department for Work & Pensions on her Job Seekers Allowance claim form by failing to declare she was maintaining a common household with her partner at Cobblers Cottage, Wistow with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment of advantage under the social security legislation, contrary to section 111(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by section 13 Social Security (Fraud) Act 1997.

Offence 3: On or about 7 December 2009 did dishonestly make false representation to Selby District Council on her Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form by failing to declare she was no longer resident at Cobblers Cottage, Wistow view to obtaining benefit or other payment of advantage under the social security legislation, contrary to section 111(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by section 13 Social Security (Fraud) Act 1997.

Offence 4: On or about 05 April 2009 did dishonestly make false representation to Selby District Council on her Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim by failing to declare she was maintaining a common household with her partner at Cobblers Cottage, Wistow with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment of advantage under the social security legislation, contrary to section 111(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by section 13 Social Security (Fraud) Act 1997.
 
Offence 5: On or about 25 March 2009 did dishonestly make false representation to The Department for Work & Pensions on her Job Seekers Allowance claim form by failing to declare she was maintaining a common household with her partner at Cobblers Cottage, Wistow with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment of advantage under the social security legislation, contrary to section 111(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by section 13 Social Security (Fraud) Act 1997.

In mitigation it was said that Miss Holtby was of previous good character and would return to work to re-pay the overpayments.