A woman has been fined for fraudulently claiming DWP payments for nearly ten months.

Lesley Joy Gill, 63, of Victoria Apartments, Park Road North, Middlesbrough, falsely communicated to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) between March 2022 and December 2022.

Court documents said: "Between 22/03/2022 and 12/12/2022 at Middlesbrough, dishonestly failed to promptly notify the Department for Work and Pensions in the prescribed manner of a change of circumstances which you knew would affect your entitlement to Personal Independence Payment, namely that there has been an improvement in her physical mobility and capabilities."

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Gill pleaded guilty to the charges at Teesside Magistrates' Court on March 4 and appeared again on April 3 for sentencing.

During the most recent court appearance, she was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, totalling £319. 

The fine was issued as a collection order.