Shropshire B&B told to pay back £10k after benefits fraud
A bed and breakfast owner was overpaid benefits to the tune of almost £10,000 after failing to tell the authorities about her business.
Sandra Bland, aged 52, of Gobowen near Oswestry correctly applied for employment support payment from the Department for Work and Pensions after suffering an accident at a previous place of work in 2010, but carried on claiming benefits when she rented out her home to fund the new business.
She admitted to two counts of dishonesty between 2013 and 2015 at the hearing at Telford Magistrates Court on Friday.
Mr Adam Warner, prosecuting, said the total amount to be recouped was £9,400.
He said the charges relate to a property bought by Bland in 2002 for £138,000.
She was taking an income from this property as well as from benefits during the period.
Mr Sam Lees, defending, said: "My client regrets her actions. She did not want to rely on the state.
"She made a legitimate claim in 2010 after an accident at work which left her with back pain. She was involved in an abusive relationship and was struggling to make ends meet.
"When a chance came to open a bed and breakfast she welcomed it with open arms, but she had to give up her home and move.
"She did the wrong thing by not declaring it. She rented out her house and invested the money in the business property, but it did her no good as the bed and breakfast struggled to get going.
"Things improved in 2014 when the business picked up and she got a contract with the hospital for people to stay there. At this stage she contacted the DWP and stopped receiving benefits."
The magistrates ordered Bland, of Station Road, Gobowen, to repay the £9,400 and fined her £341 and ordered her to pay costs £185 and victims' surcharge £34.
