News
Pennar: Woman fiddled £27k in benefits by pretending her husband had left her
A PENNAR woman fiddled more than £27,000 in benefits by pretending her husband had left her, a judge was told on Friday (May 22).
Paula Mary Pearce, aged 44, had supposed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions id her financial situation changed.
But she failed to notify them that her husband, Martyn Tegerdine, had moved back in and was helping to pay household bills.
Pearce, of 9 River View, Stranraer Road, admitted benefit fraud between 2011 and 2014 and wrongly receiving income support, housing benefit and council tax relief.
She was sentenced to 27 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Swansea Crown Court heard the overpayments were being recouped out of the benefits she currently received.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said the DWP became aware the Mr Tegerdine was working for Balfour Beatty and had registered his address as the same as Pearce’s.
His bank account was also registered at the same address and the tv licence was in his name.
During an interview with DWP officers Pearce denied he had moved back in but admitted he had stayed for a while when she had been unwell.
Her barrister, Carina Hughes, said the couple had separated many years ago but had not got divorced.
Judge Huw Davies said he had to reflect the public’s view of benefits fraud by passing a custodial sentence, albeit a suspended one.
Crime
Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street
A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).
Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.
According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.
The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.
The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.
Image: File photo
News
Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:
Students to get wider access to EMA support
MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.
From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.
Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.
She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.
“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”
More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.
The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.
Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.
“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.
“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.
“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.
“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”
EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.
Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).
Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.
If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.
News
Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre
EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.
Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.
A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.
The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”
The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.
The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.
We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.
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Welshman23
May 23, 2015 at 7:53 am
at the same court this week a guy converted his car to a police car with a blue light and was sentenced to 2 years in jail. Justice system needs an overhaul. If you fiddle money should be. Custodial sentence and you pay the money back every single penny.
MakingSense
May 26, 2015 at 1:38 pm
The guy didn’t get 2 years in jail just for putting a light on top of his car, there was far more to it than that
MakingSense
May 26, 2015 at 1:39 pm
but you are right, far too many cases like this fraudster get away with a slap on the wrist
Isitanywonder
May 26, 2015 at 3:07 pm
The poorest in society lie and cheat to get money and they are prosecuted, given criminal records (thereby lessening their chance of getting decent paid work) and the people are braying for blood.
When the rich do it, they are given bonus’ worth 150% of their already over-inflated incomes.
I don’t agree with what she did, she needs to sort her life out, but I sincerely wish the people of this country would stop blaming the poor for the state this country is in. The profit-greedy bankers have f**ked us, not the people who already have nothing!!