A former National Health Service worker has been spared jail after dishonestly claiming more than £22,000 in housing payments.
Denise Ludbrook, from Tenby in Wales, failed to disclose she had interest in any property in the UK or abroad while claiming benefit payments.
This included housing benefit, council tax benefit and council tax reduction from Pembrokeshire County Council, Swansea Crown Court heard.
The 67-year-old also claimed employment and support allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
The DWP launched an investigation into Ludbrook following allegations she had property interests overseas.
The inquiry revealed she had inherited half ownership of a property in Portugal following her mother’s death in 2018.
Between May 2018 and December 2020, and again from January to September 2023, she received £11,709.52 in overpaid employment and support allowance from the DWP.
Pembrokeshire County Council also overpaid her £8,997.98 in housing benefits and £1,652.76 in council tax reduction during this period.
The former NHS worker was handed a community order and ordered to pay £500
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Barrister Caitlin Brazel told the court Ludbrook’s actions stemmed from “a low level of cognitive awareness rather than any dishonesty”, The Western Telegraph reports.
The court heard Ludbrook had enjoyed a “respected career” working in residential social care for the NHS.
The defendant had already reimbursed the majority of the fraudulently obtained funds, with final payments scheduled.
She admitted two offences of dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefits payment at an earlier hearing.
Billions of pounds in benefits are estimated to be overpaid due to fraud or error each year
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Judge Geraint Walters said it was “very rare” for someone who had committed benefit fraud not to go to prison.
He acknowledged Ludbrook had repaid the full amount she had received.
She was sentenced to 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements alongside an 18-month community order.
Ludbrook was additionally also ordered to pay £500 in costs.