FRAUDSTERS who cheated benefit money out of a council have been prosecuted. Moni Nsiawete, 23, of Walsworth Road, Hitchin, failed to tell North Hertfordshire District Council that he had moved address and continued to accept rent payments to which he knew

FRAUDSTERS who cheated benefit money out of a council have been prosecuted.

Moni Nsiawete, 23, of Walsworth Road, Hitchin, failed to tell North Hertfordshire District Council that he had moved address and continued to accept rent payments to which he knew that he was not entitled.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Stevenage Magistrates' Court last week and was fined £200. He was also ordered to pay £200 costs. The total overpayment of housing benefit was £260 which also has to be repaid to the council.

Julia Phelps, 36, of Haygarth, Knebworth, did not inform the council that she had been in receipt of working and child tax credits. She pleaded guilty and was given a 12-month conditional discharge and had to pay £70 costs. She will also have to repay £1,782 to the council.

Verona Foster, 43, of Swanstand, Letchworth GC, failed to tell the council that she had been in receipt of child tax credit. She pleaded guilty and was given a 12-month conditional discharge and had to pay £70 costs.

The total overpayment was £6,266 which she will have to repay.