Dorchester pensioner falsely claimed £15,000 in benefits (From Thisisdorset)

Dorchester pensioner falsely claimed £15,000 in benefits

10:30am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Latest

A PENSIONER who falsely claimed more than £15,000 in benefits has been sentenced to a community order.

Anita Mackendrick, 63, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances that would affect her entitlement to pension credit.

Prosecutor Rufus Taylor told the court that Mackendrick, of Hermitage, Dorchester, made a claim for pension credit in February 2010 over the telephone in which she claimed she had no savings or income.

Following allegations made that she was breeding dogs and raising alpacas, an investigation was launched in November 2011 that revealed unexplained credits of £106,000 being paid into the defendant’s bank account.

It was also revealed that Mackendrick was receiving a monthly pension from Prudential of £91.

Mr Taylor said the total loss to the Department for Work and Pensions over the period was £15,192.97.

Tim Shorter, mitigating, told the court that his client, who was of previous good character, intended to repay all of the money.

He said: “She is very upset and ashamed that she comes before this court for a crime she did not intend to commit but accepts she did commit.”

Judge Roger Jarvis imposed a community order with a curfew requirement until July 1.

Proceedings have begun to recoup the falsely claimed funds.