HM Revenue and Customs
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Twenty two sentenced for tax credits fraud
Twenty two people from Lancashire have been sentenced for their part in a £360,000 tax credits fraud following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Nine men and twelve women claimed the money in the scam by alleging that they or their children were disabled or severely disabled, thus increasing their tax credits payments.
The investigation by HMRC found that an tenth man, a former HMRC
employee, had been responsible for inputting the false details
onto the tax credits system. Liam Stanford, an assistant officer
had also completed paperwork for some of his co-defendants.
Speaking after the case Ian Horridge, senior manager, HMRC said:
“This group has been responsible for a deliberate and sustained attack against the UK tax credits system in a deplorable attempt to defraud a system aimed at supporting the most vulnerable in our society.
“Liam Stanford abused his position, compromising the trust and level of service that the public are entitled to expect from us. HMRC is committed to the highest levels of integrity and we take decisive action against the tiny minority who let us all down by falling short of those standards.”
Confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act will follow.
Notes to editors
1. All the defendants had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to contravene section 35 of the Tax Credits Act 2002. They were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court between 13 and 15 April as follows:
Liam Stanford, DOB 07/07/74 of Towngate, Leyland was jailed for 51 months.
Paul Whittle, DOB 13/03/74 of Canterbury Street, Chorley was jailed for 25 weeks.
Paul Hulme, DOB 29/11/80 of Finsbury Place, Blackburn was jailed for 21 weeks.
Neil Burrows, DOB 18/01/68 of The Crescent, Chorley was jailed for 20 weeks.
Patricia Thompson, DOB 10/08/63 of Springfield Road, Coppull: 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 200 hour community punishment order (CPO).
Caroline Lea, DOB 26/03/81 of Howard Road, Chorley: 22 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 175 hour CPO.
Corinne Austin, DOB 23/11/1961 of Shakespeare Terrace, Chorley: 21 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 175 hour CPO.
Janet Goodman, DOB 02/10/62 of Shelley Close, Coppull: 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and an 18 month supervision order.
Sharon Burrows, DOB 11/03/69 of The Crescent, Chorley: 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 150 hour CPO.
Caroline Whittle, DOB 07/04/80 of Canterbury Street, Chorley: 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and an 80 hour CPO.
Shaun Marsden, DOB 07/12/67 of Danesway, Heath Charnock: 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 125 hour CPO.
Robin Taylor, DOB 12/02/78 of Arcon Road, Coppull: 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 200 hour CPO.
Louise Mather, DOB 22/07/81 of Highfield Avenue, Wigan: 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 200 hour CPO.
Laura Entwhistle, DOB 14/09/80 of High Street, Oswaldtwistle: 17 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and a 175 hour CPO.
Lee Benson, DOB 28/06/69 of Preston Road, Coppull: 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and a 100 hour CPO.
Kevin Shaw, DOB 22/06/62 of Wigan Road, Aspull: 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 175 hour CPO.
Susan Leonard, DOB 14/07/53 of Haigh Road, Aspull: 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a supervision order to be arranged.
Lynn Thompson, DOB 04/10/56 of Wigan Road, Aspull: 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, plus a 150 hour CPO.
Alison Howard, DOB 27/10/64 of Clancutt Lane, Coppull, Chorley: 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and an 80 hour CPO.
Keith Baxter, DOB 22/05/80 of Kingsley Avenue, Wigan: 10 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, plus a 200 hour CPO.
Paul Kirfoot, DOB 06/10/69 of St Gregory’s Place, Chorley: eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, an 80 hour CPO and £1,400 costs.
Tracey Nolan, DOB 26/07/64 of Mereford, Charnock Richard: sentenced to seven weeks imprisonment, suspended for one year. Residential restriction.
2. The fraud was committed between July 2004 and February 2007.
3. Follow us on Twitter @hmrc.gov.uk
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Kathryn Corcoran
Phone: 02920 325177
kathryn.corcoran@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
