A benefits fraudster took more than £50,000 to which she was not entitled

Irene Carus , aged 63, failed to inform the Department of Health and Social Security about a change in her circumstances regarding a pension.

She pleaded guilty to six counts of making a false representation to obtain a benefit, namely failing to declare the change in her circumstances.

Prosecuting advocate Chrissie Hunt told the court that Carus, who lives at Castlemona Avenue, Douglas, started receiving income support benefit in April 2016 as she was medically unfit for work.

However, in November 2021 it came to light that she had not declared various amounts in relation to a pension fund.

Statements from banks were obtained which confirmed this.

In April 2022, Carus was interviewed by social security staff and confirmed that she had signed declarations that her circumstances had not changed.

When asked if anything had not been declared, she said ‘no’. Staff quizzed her about the pension fund and Carus claimed she had spoken to someone in the social security office who had told her that she did not need to declare it, as she said she was not accessing it.

Bank statements were shown to her which detailed money moving around, but Carus reiterated her claim she had done nothing wrong and did not have access to the funds.

Ms Hunt said that the failure to declare the pension had resulted in Carus being paid £50,229 in benefits that she was not entitled to.

She was said to have already started paying back the money to the treasury at a rate of £20 per week.

Ms Hunt said that during a probation meeting, further things had come to light which may require reassessment by the treasury.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode agreed that an adjournment until December 15 would be appropriate.

Bail continues.