A woman from Barrow who failed to declare two pensions while claiming Universal Credit has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Valerie Bartlett appeared at Preston Crown Court before Judge Gioserano where she admitted to disclose information to the Department for Work and Pensions.
The court heard the 63-year-old from Ferry Road claimed Universal Credit between December 2018 and June 2023.
However, she did not tell officials she was receiving two pensions.
One was from a local pension insurance company and her ex-husband’s employment with Barrow Borough Council.
Bartlett then started receiving her own NHS pension at another date but the offence period was related to an earlier period of failing to declare the widow’s pension while claiming Universal Credit.
Bartlett claimed during her pre-sentence report that she had told the department.
She initially blamed the department for the mix-up.
The woman received a suspended sentence at Preston Crown Court
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PAThe prosecutor said the woman had signed online declarations stating she understood she had to report any changes that could affect her entitlement.
However, the prosecutor added she “continued to receive Universal Credit payments” while also receiving both pensions.
The overpayment came to £18,250.
The court heard that Bartlett bought a £21,000 caravan during that same period.
The woman was set a curfew from 9pm to 6am for four months
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GOOGLE MAPSThe woman’s solicitor said that her client accepted full responsibility, however, it was out of character.
“You were getting money from those pensions which you should have declared,” Judge Gioserano said, according to the Mail.
Because you didn’t you received money from Universal Credit that you weren’t entitled to.”
The judge added that it “amounted to thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money that you should never have had”.
“And during that time, you went and bought yourself a caravan for about £21,000,” Judge Gioserano said.
“That’s not how it’s supposed to work – public money is not there to fund those things.”
The judge told Bartlett she “admitted to a criminal offence” and that is why she was being sentenced.
“The only thing stopping you from going straight to prison is that you are of previous good character and have never been in trouble before,” he said.
“Before this, you had led a law-abiding life, and on the face of it, I hope that continues.”
Judge Gioserano said Bartlett’s admission of guilt and previously clean record meant she could avoid a prison term.
She was sentenced to nine months in custody, reduced from 12 months because of her guilty plea, however it was suspended for a year on the condition she takes part in rehabilitation work and adheres to a night-time curfew from 9pm to 6am for four months.
The judge warned the prison sentence would be activated if she breached her terms and told the court that prosecutors were beginning to confiscate belongings to recover the money.
