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Public Relations

If you are a journalist wanting to contact North Norfolk District Council for information or comment, please call Peter Battrick, Communications Manager, on 01263 516344. You can also email media@north-norfolk.gov.uk

The team also produces the quarterly Outlook magazine for North Norfolk residents, as well as meeting the council's in-house design and branding business needs.

Prison sentence for benefits fraudster

28 May 2010

A woman who falsely claimed more than £76,000 in benefits after failing to declare she was living with a partner was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday 26 May.

Sarah Riley, 34, of Cremer Street, Sheringham, falsely claimed benefits over a six year period from 2001 to 2007. The court heard that she obtained £64,333 in Income Support, £10,225 in Housing Benefit and £1583 in Council Tax Benefit.

She failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions and North Norfolk District Council when she started living with her new partner in 2001, admitting to ten counts of benefit fraud, including seven counts of making false representations to North Norfolk District Council. NNDC is now taking steps to recover the money.

Sheila Oxtoby, Deputy Chief Executive of North Norfolk District Council said ‘Whilst encouraging take-up of benefits for those who are entitled, the Council also works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to investigate allegations of benefit fraud. The cost of fraudulent claims is met by every council tax payer in the District, and as such, the Council is keen to ensure fraud is not only detected but that this pro-active stance acts as a firm deterrent to others.’  

ENDS