Leeds benefits cheat had £40,000 inheritance after mother's death

Leeds Crown Court heard 55-year-old Sadie Kendrew was overpaid just under £20,000 in employment and support allowance, council tax and housing benefit.

Kendrew, of Dolphin Court, Ricmond Hill, Leeds, admitted three charges of benefit fraud.

The court heard she was grieving the death of both her father and mother.

Prosecutor, Laura Addy said Kendrew had legitimately claimed employment and support allowance in October 2012.

Miss Addy said in October 2013 Kendrew only declared £60 when completing a reclaim form at a time when she had £40,000 in two bank accounts.

Miss Addy said: “She received money by way of inheritance from the death of her mother.”

The court heard Kendrew was overpaid a total of £19,550 made up of £7,612 in employment and support allowance, £11,876 in housing benefit and £62 in council tax benefit.

Mitigating, Jane Cooper said her father and mother had died within 12 months of each other, adding “These offences have arisen during a time of personal grief.”

Miss Copper said: “It was money that belonged to her mother. She was no doubt very grief stricken at the time and the money for her was a difficult issue.”

Recorder Simon Eckersley handed Kendrew a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.