A CHARFORD woman has appeared at court after a crackdown by the district council's fraud team.

Bromsgrove District Council, working with the Department for Work and Pensions, took action against Kelly Halfpenny, formerly Cook, of Lyttleton Avenue, who pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change in her circumstances when she appeared before Redditch magistrates.

Halfpenny was fined £400 and ordered to pay £100 costs.

The court heard that the defendant failed to report that she was living with a partner, resulting in an overpayment of housing and council tax benefit totalling £1,631.18, during the period October 4, 2004, to January 10, 2005.

Income support was overpaid to the value of £3,826.68 covering the period October 4, 2004 to April 29, 2005. All benefits will be fully recovered.

In a linked case, undertaken by Bromsgrove Council, two other Bromsgrove residents were prosecuted for failing, as landlords, to notify a change of circumstances in that their tenant, Kelly Halfpenny was no longer liable for paying the rent.

Kevin and Anne Waldron, formerly of Lyttleton Avenue, admitted the charge. They were both fined £500 and each ordered to pay £100 costs.

Another linked case was heard by Redditch magistrates, in April 2006, when a fourth local resident pleaded guilty to dishonestly allowing Kelly Halfpenny to fail to notify a change of circumstances, namely that she was living with a partner.

The defendant received a £300 fine with £150 costs. This case was taken in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions.

A spokesman for Bromsgrove District Council said: "Our continued crackdown on people that flout the law emphasises the seriousness of benefit fraud and shows that Bromsgrove District Council 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 onto you'".

Any suspected fraud can be reported to Bromsgrove Council on 01527 881221 or email to hotline@bromsgrove.gov.uk