A WOMAN who fraudulently claimed thousands of pounds in council tax support has been punished by the courts.

Carol Edwards, also known as Carol Boardman, claimed £6,557.21 in fraudulent council tax support over a period of close to seven years.

The 58-year-old, of Cotswold Road in Orford, appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 15, where she pleaded guilty to a charge of council tax support fraud.

The court heard that between March 30, 2015, and February 3, 2022, Edwards dishonestly failed to declare to Warrington Borough Council that she was cohabiting with her husband.

This produced a change in circumstances that she knew would affect her council tax support, and one she had a legal duty to disclose, the council says.

Magistrates stated that this was a deliberate and sustained fraud, and the court sentenced Edwards to a 12-week community order.

She must also abide by an electronically monitored curfew from 3pm until midnight for the same length of time and pay £1,060 in court costs and a victim surcharge.

According to court documents, an application for a variation to the curfew conditions in relation to attending a cruise was refused.

The sentence was welcomed by Cllr Cathy Mitchell, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate resources.

She said: “Council tax support is for residents who really need it, and we have a dedicated team of investigators who are committed to protecting public money from fraud.

“Our team will investigate allegations of benefit fraud and prosecute offenders, so you must let us know if you have recently made a change to your living situation, which could result in the need to review the amount of council tax support you are entitled to.”

For more information about council tax and the council tax support scheme, visit warrington.gov.uk/counciltax