A DERBYSHIRE woman has been jailed for five months for continuing to claim benefits after she had inherited more than £28,000.
Maria Higgins, 48, of Meadow Street, Ilkeston, failed to notify her change in circumstances while claiming benefits from the Department of Works and Pensions and Erewash Borough Council between March 2008 and January 2011.
The council launched an investigation after an allegation was made that Higgins had received the inheritance.
Higgins – also known as Maria Kennelly – denied the offence but was found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.
As well as the custodial sentence, she was also told that she must pay £1,000 costs.
In addition, an order was granted by the court for the full recovery of Department of Works and Pensions benefit payments totalling £10,749 as well as housing and council tax benefit payments of £11,300.
The court was told that, at the start of the investigation, Higgins was interviewed and claimed that the inheritance money had been left to her children.
She was given an opportunity to provide the information to support her version, but failed to produce anything.
Higgins continued to deny the offence and pleaded not guilty.
When the case reached the crown court, a will was provided which showed that the money had been left to her but was then placed in accounts of family members.
