Will this be the first house to sell via Leicestershire Police's Ebay Account?

Cottesmore woman convicted of benefit fraud must sell home to repay debt

Will this be the first house to sell via Leicestershire Police's Ebay Account?

Mrs Dalby was jailed after admitting a £130,000 benefit fraud now faces selling her home to pay some of the money back to Rutland County Council.

Catherine Dalby, was sent to prison in August last year after claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit for 15 years when she was not entitled to the cash.

What I found strange was our local troll who constantly attacked "benefit scroungers" called for her to be freed  on his twitter account.

A proceeds of crime hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday heard Dalby made a total benefit of £110,000 from her crimes.

The hearing was told Dalby had “recoverable assests” of £34,000 which represented her share of the equity of her home in Cresswell Drive, Cottesmore.

Jon Straw, defending, asked for Dalby, who has now been released from prison, to be given six months to sell her home and to come up with the money.

Mr Straw told the hearing: “If she experiences difficulty in selling her home it is important she comes back to court and asks for an extension.”

Recorder David Mason QC told Dalby that if the outstanding figure of £34,000 was not paid within that period she could face another 12 months imprisonment in default.

The sentencing hearing in August was told Dalby made a legitimate claim for benefits in October 1996 but within two months she married her lorry driver husband Geoffrey in a Christmas Eve ceremony.

Dalby never declared her marriage despite a number of opportunities to tell the authorities of her change in circumstances, the court heard.

The authorities discovered the fraud in April 2011 and Dalby, who was legitimately working part-time, for a Rutland County Council School, had her benefits stopped.

Dalby had admitted failing to notify the authorities of a change of circumstances while claiming benefits.

Judge Peter Clark sentenced her to 15 months but this was cut to eight months at an Appeal Court hearing in October.

http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/crime/cottesmore-woman-convicted-of-benefit-fraud-must-sell-home-to-repay-debt-1-4760616