Couple lied to gain benefits
A police civilian worker from Northamptonshire has been sacked after he and his wife repeatedly lied to fraudulently claim £45,000 in benefits.
Nigel Hargrave, 48, and his wife Diane, 45, separated in 1992, later reconciled, but then pretended to be living apart in order to be able to claim a number of benefits.
Northampton Crown Court heard how they lived apart to appear separated but went on to have their second and third children together in 1999 and 2001.
Rosie Burns, prosecuting, said Mrs Hargrave was given a 25 per cent exemption on council tax by Daventry District Council as it was thought she was living alone, despite being supported by her husband, and received severe disability living allowance which she would not be entitled to with a partner.
The court heard that since November 2001, they fraudulently claimed 45,419 in housing and council tax benefit, income support, disability allowance and council tax exemption.
Miss Burns said that as records only go back seven years, the figure could be higher.
She also told the judge how Mr Hargrave was dismissed from his job of 30 years after he pleaded guilty.
Judge Thomas Corrie said: "You lied on paper and orally to a number of bodies including the Department of Work and Pensions and the council to avoid surrendering benefits.
"You told whoever you were dealing with whatever it was that suited you to achieve your objective."
Diane Hargrave, of High Street, Braunston, pleaded guilty to evading liability to pay council tax by deception and cheating the public purse. She was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and six months of evening house arrest with a 7pm to 7am curfew from Monday to Friday.
Mr Hargrave, of Main Street, Newbold, Rugby, who admitted cheating the public purse and aiding and abetting his wife's deception, was also given 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 12 months' supervision and must do 300 hours community service. They now face selling his home to pay a potential 45,000 confiscation order and 3,000 costs.
Matthew Lowe, for Mrs Hargrave, said: "This was far from a conventional marriage and this was far from a conventional relationship."
Anti Fraud Minister Tony McNulty said: "Benefit thieves have to understand that they will not get away with it.
"Working together with local authorities and the police we have a strong range of powers to investigate and with the support of the public we bring benefit thieves to justice.
"When people commit benefit theft, they face imprisonment, fines and other penalties. We will also make sure they pay back the money they have stolen from the taxpayer and seek to ensure any proceeds from their crime are confiscated too."
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