A REDDITCH woman who pleaded guilty to benefit fraud could have avoided court action and qualified for financial support if she had done things properly.
Tracey Watts, of Lock Close, Batchley, was given a one-year community rehabilitation order with £150 costs at Redditch Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
She pleaded guilty to offences regarding claims for income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit while running a hairdressers between July 2000 and July 2001.
Redditch Council officers said if she had asked about 'in work' benefits when starting her business she could have claimed other support to meet her financial needs.
The council's 24-hour benefit fraud hotline can be called on 534164.
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