A York woman admitted claiming £5,000 in benefits that she was not entitled to when she appeared before city magistrates today (29 March).

Paula Ferrer-Bowden of Nether Poppleton, York had been claiming housing and council tax benefit since 2000 on the basis that she was a single mother on a low income.

In December 2005 a member of the public informed City of York Council's fraud team that Ms Ferrer-Bowden had been living with a partner for a considerable period of time and that he was the father of her child.

A fraud investigation began in January 2006 to look into the allegation.  This revealed that Ms Ferrer-Bowden had held a joint bank account with Mr James West since 2002.  When checks were made, it was determined that both Mr West and Ms Ferrer-Bowden had bank cards for the account and that these were both in active use.

During two interviews, Ms Ferrer-Bowden denied that Mr West was living with her and stated that the joint account was opened for convenience so that Mr West could deposit cheques into the account.  She claimed that she received no maintenance from Mr West and had no claim to the money transferred into the joint account.

The council did not accept Ms Ferrer-Bowden’s explanation of events and concluded that Mr West had been living and maintaining joint finances with her.  Due to her fraudulent actions, Ms Ferrer-Bowden was overpaid £4,311.99 in housing benefit and £276.56 in council tax benefit. 

She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs, as well as repaying the benefits.

Max Thomas, audit and fraud manager for the council, said: “The council does not tolerate benefit fraud and will take appropriate action in all cases where it is found that people have submitted false claims.  Although the fraud had gone on for some time, the council only became aware of it following a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

"I would therefore encourage anyone who has information about suspected benefit fraud to call the council's fraud hotline on 01904 552935 or email us at benefit.fraud@york.gov.uk."