NEW CROSS: Benefit cheat sentenced to community service (From This Is Local London)

NEW CROSS: Benefit cheat sentenced to community service

1:28pm Wednesday 24th March 2010 in Where I Live

A BENEFIT cheat who defrauded more than £50,000 from a council has been sentenced to 280 hours' community service.

Wacquez Lebeni, of Beacon Gate, New Cross, falsely claimed income support of £22,709 and housing and council tax benefit of £30,846 between May 2004 and February last year.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to notify changes in her circumstances and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court.

Lebeni’s deception was uncovered as part of a regular data-matching exercise carried out by Lewisham Council.

It checks details of benefit claimants against payroll details of large organisations or those claiming student loans.

Lebeni’s national insurance number and date of birth details showed she was working for the NHS.

A repayment plan has been put in place for Lebeni to pay back the money.

Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the council’s fraud hotline on 0800 085 0119 or email reportfraud@lewisham.gov.uk