A woman from Kilgetty has admitted benefit fraud in court, after failing to notify the authorities that she was living with her partner who was in paid employment.
Twenty-one-year-old Chelsea Tryphene Harris appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court, on Tuesday, to plead guilty to charges of failing to notify Pembrokeshire County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, of a change of circumstances that would affect her entitlement to housing benefit and income support, namely that she was living together and maintaining a common household with Steffan Phillips, who was working in remunerated employment.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the claims were made between January and November of last year, and came to nearly £7,000.
“She was interviewed and initially denied living with the gentleman, but credit checks showed that he was living at that address, as car insurance and credit cards had been taken out,” he explained.
Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told magistrates that his client was of clean character.
“At the time the claims were made, she had formed a relationship that was on and off with this gentleman, who is a self-employed painter and decorator.
“The overpayment is being repaid at the moment. This has most certainly been a life-changing experience for her and she’s learnt her lesson,” he added.
Magistrates fined Ms Harris £100 and ordered her to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.