FOUR prosecutions have been brought against town residents as part of an ongoing commitment to crackdown on benefit fraud.

The legal action was taken by Bromsgrove District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Michelle Alcock, aged 47, formerly of Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, pleaded guilty to a charge of making statements she knew to be false to secure housing and council tax benefit.

Mrs Alcock said she was in receipt of income support, when in fact her husband was working, Redditch Magistrates were told.

This resulted in an overpayment of housing and council tax benefit of £1,280.42 between October 2003 and February 2005. In addition income support was overpaid to the value of £3,845.68 from October 2003 to July 2004.

Stephen Alcock, 47, pleaded guilty to a charge of knowingly allowing Mrs Alcock to claim benefits while he was working.

Both Mr and Mrs Alcock were sentenced to a six month community rehabilitation order, in addition to paying prosecution costs of £125 each.

Shirley Wilkes, 52, of Oak Road, Catshill, also pleaded guilty to a charge of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances in order to obtain housing benefit and council tax benefit.

The court heard that Mrs Wilkes failed to report that she was living with her husband. This resulted in an overpayment of housing benefit and council tax benefit of £2,005.04 between June 2004 and March 2005. Income support was overpaid to the value of £5,272.19 from June 2004 to March 2005.

David Wilkes, 50, of the same address, admitted to knowingly allowing Mrs Wilkes to dishonestly fail to notify a change of circumstances.

They were both given an 18 month conditional discharge and ordered to each pay £100 costs. All benefits will be fully recovered.

A spokesperson for Bromsgrove Council said the cases emphasise the seriousness of benefit fraud and show that the local authority will work to ensure that benefits are paid correctly, taking legal action where necessary.

Anti-fraud minister, James Plaskitt, said: "Closer working with our partners in local authorities, like Bromsgrove, means that we know where and when people try to commit benefit fraud. Cheats should be warned, 'We're on to you'".

Any suspected fraud can be reported to Bromsgrove Council on 01527 881221 or by email to hotline@bromsgrove.gov.uk or by entering the details on the fraud referral form on Bromsgrove Council's website at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk