12 MONTHS JAIL FOR £15,000 TAX CREDIT CHEAT

11 Feb 2004 01:45 PM

29 year old mother of three Sarah Jane Lacey is today beginning a 12 month prison sentence after pleading guilty to eight charges of false accounting in relation to claims for Working Families' Tax Credit.

Sentencing was passed in Wellingborough after the guilty pleas had been made to Northampton Magistrates in December last year.

Inland Revenue Investigator Nick Gilmore commented:

"The sentencing reflects the severity of these offences and brings our investigation to a successful conclusion. We hope that this will send a message out to others who are tempted to try and cheat the Tax Credits system."

DETAILS

1. Between November 2000 and November 2001 Sarah Lacey of Deferneus Drive, Raunds, Wellingborough made claims for childcare costs for her 3 children. These claims indicated that her children were being cared for by registered childminders. She had in fact used the childminder's details and forged their signatures on each of the 3 claims submitted to the Inland Revenue.

2. The other offences relate to 5 false claims to Working Families Tax Credit made by Sarah between August 1999 and October 2001. On each occasion she failed to include the income or details of her partner.

3. Sarah Lacey's actions resulted in the Inland Revenue paying her over £15,000 in Tax Credits that she was not entitled to. She was arrested and interviewed in a joint operation between the Inland Revenue Special Compliance Office and the police in January 2002. A further false claim to tax credits, worth £4700, was stopped before payment had been made.

4. There was no order for costs or compensation.

5. Anybody with information about suspected tax or tax credit fraud can provide this by calling the Tax and Benefits Confidential Helpline on 0845 608 6000. (Mon. - Fri. 8.30 to 5.30) or the Business Anti Fraud Helpline on 0800 788887. (Mon. - Fri. 8.30 to 5)

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