Wednesday 15 September 2010

Benefits Cheat Grasses Herself Up


A benefits cheat who pocketed over £16,000 in taxpayers cash while employed full-time with a high street estate agent's has dodged jail.

Mum-of-two Desire Easmon, 40, of Kingscroft, Clapham, South-West London continued claiming income support while earning £350 per week and receiving holiday and maternity pay.

She pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions between February 24, 2003 and January 10, 2007, namely employment with Haart estate agents.

The court heard Easmon began claiming benefits in 1994 and continued after getting a job as a branch administrator, but this was only revealed when she informed her local Jobcentre in January, 2007.

The first-time offender received a total of £16,506 and has not repaid a penny.

Easmon claims the loss to taxpayers is only £2,000 because she was entitled to the bulk of the money anyway in working tax credits.

She was placed on a 12 month community order and must complete 180 hours community service work.



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