Woman jailed over benefits fraud

A woman who fraudulently claimed more than £50,000 in benefits then said she had cancer to avoid prosecution has been jailed for 15 months.

Christine Areh, 59, from Edgware, north London, claimed she paid rent where she lived but an investigation by Harrow Council showed she owned the property.

After failing to appear for a court hearing, she falsely claimed she was in the US being treated for breast cancer.

Areh pleaded guilty to four benefit fraud offences at an earlier hearing.

'Evade justice'

A medical report produced by Areh in support of her claim later proved to be fake.

She claimed to be suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts, but was later found fit to stand trial after examination by three experts, including her own GP.

Harrow Council leader David Ashton, who welcomed the jail term, said: "This sentence is a fitting result for someone who has sought to evade justice at every turn.

"It sends a powerful signal that Harrow Council will relentlessly pursue anyone who tries to cheat council tax payers by fraudulently claiming benefit."

Areh was also ordered to sell her house and repay the council £15,000 within the next six months or face a further 12-month jail term.

She was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court.