Judge imposes curfew on Brentford woman
A 56 year old grandmother from Brentford has become only the second person in Hounslow borough to be electronically tagged after being found guilty of falsely claiming more than £13,000 in benefits.
Roberta Gregory, of Perran Walk, Brentford was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 22 August 2008 after she had been found guilty of committing benefit fraud.
The electronic tag will monitor the curfew order imposed by the judge whereby she cannot leave her home between 8pm and 6am for four months. She was also ordered to attend a “Think First” programme for 18 months and is repaying the money she stole.
Cllr Gerald McGregor, lead member for finance at the London Borough of Hounslow, said, “We are tired of seeing money that is supposed to help people in genuine need being taken by undeserving criminals. In this case the culprit took money from every council taxpayer in Hounslow
“To those who think they can get away with committing this crime, the message is simple -you will be caught and you will have to repay the money you stole.
The case was brought by the London Borough of Hounslow’s fraud team after it received information indicating that Gregory had been falsely claiming benefits.
She had been claiming benefits as a single person but was in fact living with her partner who was working. This undeclared change in her circumstances affected her benefit claims.
As a result of her actions Roberta Gregory had falsely claimed £10,866.11 in housing benefit and £2,314.17 in council tax benefit between December 2003 and August 2006.
Gregory was charged with 2 offences under Section 111A (1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 relating to her failing to notify the council she was living with her husband while claiming she was a single person.
To confidentially report your suspicions or knowledge of benefit fraud you may contact the council’s fraud team on 020 8583 2111.
September 1, 2008