Benefit cheat swindles almost £20,000 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Runcorn mum fails to declare her landlord was her lover, court told

6:10pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By World reporter

A RUNCORN mum who who failed to disclose that her landlord was her lover swindled almost £20,000 in benefits, a court heard.

Mandy Huskisson, aged 44, of Grangemoor, and Arthur Traynor, aged 43, of Ascot Avenue, appeared at Runcorn Magistrates Court on January 30.

Huskisson admitted four offences under the Fraud Act 2006 in relation to her claim for housing and council tax benefit and income support.

Traynor admitted two offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 in relation to Huskisson’s claim for housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Single mum-of-three Huskisson claimed housing benefit and council tax beneft at Ascot Avenue, claiming Traynor was her private landlord. He created a tenancy agreement to enable her to claim benefits at his address.

Huskisson had received both benefits since January, 2004, when she lived in Stenhills Crescent.

Initially, she said she received income support, part-time earnings, tax credits and child benefit.

She changed her address in 2008.

In May, 2010, Halton Council’s benefit investigation unit received a referral from the Department for Work and Pensions’ internet fraud hotline, alleging her landlord was her partner.

Enquiries revealed that Traynor had previously rented Ascot Avenue but moved into Huskisson’s home in Stenhills Crescent in July, 2008.

Surveillance of the property in Ascot Avenue between March, 2011 and May, 2011, revealed Huskisson and Traynor arriving and leaving.

With a search warrant, police, the council and DWP swooped on the house at 7.30am on June 22, 2011, and the couple were arrested.

They both admitted being in a relationship.

Traynor admitted moving into Huskisson’s property whilst he rented out his house.

The pair then decided that she would move back into Ascot Avenue after his tenant left and claim benefits, saying Traynor was her landlord.

He admitted dishonestly giving her a tenancy agreement when no rent was charged.

Huskisson was given a six month supervision community order and must repay £19,661 in overpaid benefit.

Traynor was ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work. They both have to pay £75 costs.