A WOMAN who fraudulently claimed around £17,000-worth of benefits has been handed a suspended sentence.
Maria Kapusniak, of Settler Close, Andover, failed to tell Test Valley Borough Council between December 3, 2012, and July 3, 2016, that her earnings had increased which would affect her benefits.
At Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 23, the 56-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to notify the council.
The court heard that Kapusniak had been claiming more housing and council tax benefit during the four-year period than she was entitled to.
Magistrates handed Kapusniak a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. She must also pay £85 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here