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