A WOMAN fraudulently claimed more than £12,000 in benefits.

Tina Dolton, 53, of Dunnock Way, Blackbird Leys, was sentenced to a 12-month community order and a three-month curfew after pleading guilty to benefit fraud on Monday.

Dolton was charged with dishonestly failing to declare her employment and making false statements to Oxford City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions between September 2008 and May 2013.

She pleaded guilty at Oxfordshire Magistrates’ Court to dishonestly obtaining Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance.

In total, she stole a total of £12,562.30.

She will have to undertake 120 hours’ unpaid work as part of the community order and the curfew will be in place between 8pm and 6am.

Dolton will have to pay back the overpaid benefit to both Oxford City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

  • To raise concerns about someone who is claiming benefits when they shouldn’t be, contact Oxford City Council Benefit Fraud line on 01865 252222, email benefitfraudline@ oxford.gov.uk or complete a benefit fraud ‘Report it’ form on the council’s website, oxford.gov.uk