On July 6, The Department of Work and Pensions, in conjunction with Wokingham and Reading Borough Councils, successfully prosecuted Julie Brown of Howth Drive, Woodley for benefit fraud.

Julie Brown, 47, pleaded guilty to the charge of making a false statement and not declaring she was living with her employed partner. As a result of joint investigations between the Department of Work and Pensions and the two borough councils, £5,159.21 of fraudulent benefit was identified.

Together with having to repay the fraudulent benefit overpayment, Julie Brown received from Reading Magistrates Court a 12 month community sentence with a requirement to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £100 costs.

Muir Laurie, director of business assurance and democratic services at Wokingham Borough Council, said: "This was another excellent result that highlights the benefits of joint working between the local councils and The Department of Work and Pensions, all of whom are committed to identifying fraudulent benefit claims and pooling resources to protect the public purse."

If anyone has any concerns relating to benefit fraud, they can report them in confidence to the investigations hotline on 0800 454 240.