'What a Plank': Yoga Teacher's Benefit Scam

Croydon Magistrates' Court

A yoga instructor and wannabe actress and model dishonestly pocketed £8,541 in benefits by secretly working additional hours.

Zelia Taitt, 43, continued claiming Housing Benefit and Employment Support Allowance when her earnings increased.

The mother-of-one, of Primrose Close, Wallington pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the London Borough of Sutton and the Department of Work and Pensions between November 14, 2017 and November 11, 2018.

She failed to inform her local council and the DWP when her hours changed and her income increased.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard Taitt dishonestly received an additional £6,487 in Employment Support Allowance payment and £2,054 in Housing Benefit.

She will repay the money via deductions from her current Universal Credit claim.

District Judge Nigel Dean told Taitt today: “You received money from the state that you were not entitled to. I give you credit for your guilty plea on the day of trial.”

Taitt has a new job at a studio in west London and that employer is aware of the court case, the hearing was told.

Her lawyer said she was in “straightened” financial circumstances.

Taitt was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 250 hours community service and was ordered to pay £300 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.