A Gateshead woman has denied cheating the benefits system out of £74,000 after prosecutors said she falsely claimed her husband no longer lived with her.
Kelly Quinn, 45, of Aycliffe Avenue, Springwell Estate, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week. She pleaded not guilty to three counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to benefits and fraud by false representation.
Allegations of hidden cohabitation
Prosecutors alleged that between 2020 and 2024, Quinn's spouse was still residing at her home in Gateshead, but she failed to inform the Department for Work and Pensions. The court heard she is accused of claiming £74,000 in Universal Credit and council tax reduction to which she was not entitled.
James Rickerby, prosecuting, said the offences allegedly took place between December 1, 2020, and January 11, 2024. He told the court: "The Crown would say that this is suitable for summary trial. The amount involved is £74,000."
Defence and trial date set
Tim Gregory, defending, said Quinn denied the offences by claiming she had split up with her husband and he was living elsewhere during the dates in question.
Accepting jurisdiction, District Judge Paul Currer said: "You have pleaded not guilty to these allegations and they will have to be resolved by trial. That will take place on January 19 at 2pm at these courts."
He added: "Should you fail to attend, you potentially commit an offence under the Bail Act and the trial could go ahead in your absence. There are no conditions on your bail."
