Jury told of Telford mother’s £38,000 benefits claims
Wednesday 21st September 2011, 11:29AM BST.
A woman claimed £38,000 in benefits by pretending to be a single mum, a court has heard.
Tina Haynes, 36, of Leonards Close, Donnington, Telford, claimed benefits for more than five years yet her husband was named on the electoral role every year as living at the address, her fraud trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court was told yesterday.
Haynes has denied two charges of making a false representation – one to claim for housing and council tax benefit the other to claim income support.
She also denies a charge of obtaining £16,172 in income support by deception and further charge of obtaining £22,254 in housing and council tax benefit.
Dr Fayyaz Afzac prosecuting, said when Haynes applied for benefits and income support in 2002 she said she was a single parent.
However, he said, documents over the next five years showed Martin Haynes was on the electoral role as living at the same address and his driving licence was registered at the property.
Mrs Debra White, for Haynes, said the couple had had a very difficult separation followed by tragedy within the family.
She said Haynes found herself struggling to look after her two sons, one of whom had ADHD and problems on the autism spectrum.
“She needed practical help in getting him to school and with transport and so turned to Martin Haynes, who was the children’s stepfather, for help, despite the separation,” Mrs White said.
She said Mr Haynes stepped in and it meant he was regularly at the house although they were separated.
Mrs White said that Haynes had also thought that having Mr Haynes registered on the electoral role would help her credit rating.
The court was told that Mr Haynes now had a new partner and had left the area.
The trial continues.
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