Woman from Grimsby accused of £22k benefits con

A FRAUDSTER from Grimsby is accused of claiming more than £22,000 of benefits she was not entitled to, a court heard.

Angela Elshaw, 48, of Bransdale Way, Grimsby, started claiming benefits legitimately after splitting from her husband, Grimsby Magistrates' Court was told.

However, the couple were later reunited and moved back in together but she continued claiming benefits as a single woman.

Graham Pressler, prosecuting, said: "There is no complaint about the original application, she and her husband had separated and an application was quite properly made for benefits.

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"It appears the offences lie when Mrs Elshaw didn't notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the local authority of her change in circumstances following a reconciliation."

The prosecution claims the amount Elshaw received fraudulently amounts to more than £22,000.

Elshaw admitted three counts of benefit fraud, including failing to notify the DWP and North East Lincolnshire Council of her change of circumstances between May 2009 and December 2011. She also admitted making a false statement to obtain benefits on September 1, 2011.

Jade Taylor, mitigating, said further investigations were needed to calculate whether Elshaw or her husband may have been eligible for some other benefits at the time.

She said: "It would seem Mrs Elshaw or her husband would have been entitled to some benefits, such as Working Tax Credits, during this time, which would reduce, perhaps significantly, the £22,000 my client is said to have over-claimed."

Miss Taylor asked the court to adjourn the case for six weeks so that an expert can recalculate the amount Elshaw is said to have claimed fraudulently.

She was released on unconditional bail and will next appear in front of magistrates on October 17.