Suspended jail term for benefits cheat

Julie Squires provided a false tenancy agreement and a copy of a letter from the bogus landlord in support of her claim but Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday she was actually living in the home of a friend.

He had bought the house in Princess Lane, Dewsbury shortly before she first began claiming the benefit in 2002.

She told investigators who were alerted by a tip off that the friend had mental health difficulties and she looked after him and paid towards the property, said Howard Shaw prosecuting.

Kama Melly, representing Squires, said after she separated from her husband she had a poor credit rating and had found it difficult to find somewhere to live until offered a home by her friend.

She felt a deep sense of shame and remorse having brought her family up to respect the law, with her daughters both married to police officers and her son hoping to be a policeman.

Squires’ solicitor added: “He is absolutely furious his mother is in this position.”

Squires, 50, was given a 10 months jail sentence suspended for 12 months with 150 hours unpaid work and six months supervision after admitting six charges of making fraudulent representations for benefits.