Cheat given 662 years to pay back £40k
A BENEFITS cheat who swindled nearly £40,000 has been given 662 years to pay it back – at £5 a month.
It will take 20 generations of Allison Houlahan’s family to clear the debt.
Houlahan, 47, was spared prison after a court was told she was manipulated into making false claims by her controlling husband Kenneth.
She claimed £56,670 in income support, housing benefit and council tax relief.
Her deceit meant she was overpaid £39,975 in income support alone.
Durham County Council insisted the prosecution showed it “meant business” in the fight against benefit fraud. But there was anger over a crime which last year cost taxpayers £1.1billion.
Robert Oxley, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “When someone is caught defrauding the system they should have to pay the consequences. A custodial sentence should be considered in cases like this and it shows that there is a need to reform the system.”
Many people need benefits and it is quite wrong when a small minority bring the system into disrepute by cheating
Labour MP Helen Goodman said: “Many people need benefits and it is quite wrong when a small minority bring the system into disrepute by cheating.”
Houlahan, of Shildon, Co Durham, began claiming benefits 10 years ago after a horse-riding accident left her in a wheelchair and on crutches, the court heard. But when she recovered and returned to work in pubs and clubs, she continued to make claims.
She was caught after a tip-off that she was working as a pub landlady.
She pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to six fraud-related charges. She wept with relief as judge, Recorder Ian Thorp, imposed a four-month suspended prison sentence, with £120 costs.
Rebecca Stephenson, defending, said her husband was manipulative and had controlled her and the family finances.
