Homeowner kept second property secret to con taxpayer out of £57,000 in benefits

19 January 2024 , 10:11

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Another hearing will determine how much she has to pay back

A woman who kept her second home a secret from authorities was able to falsely claim more than £50,000 in benefits.

Fraudster Sharon Berkley, 56, was also found to be renting out one of the rooms in her house. Berkley, who is now living in Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to two fraud offences.

Prosecuting barrister Lisa Denley told the court how Berkley was paid employment and support allowance, and received an overpayment of £16,197.85 between December 2014 and July 2017.

She was also in receipt of Universal Credit payments totalling £41,292 between August 2017 and May 2022. Overall, her false claims equalled £57,490.16.

Berkley said she was a single female who was unwell, unfit to work and had no other income and savings. But it was revealed that she had a property at Ocean Court in Truro, purchased in October 2003. She didn't live there, but instead rented it out, taking £495pm in rent in 2017, increasing to £600pm in 2022.

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Berkley appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence (CornwallLive/BPM)

On top of this, she was found to be renting out one of the rooms in her house for £100 a week. She vehemently denied she had any further income, but accepted her ownership of the property in an interview.

Representing Berkley, Martin Pearce said his client is unwell, suffering a range of physical conditions such as fibromyalgia, ADHD and Asperger's. He added that Berkley "didn't lead a lavish lifestyle as a result of the offences". Berkley is now living in temporary accommodation in Redruth and renting out a property in Porthtowan - but is currently taking action against her tenants for unpaid rent.

Recorder James Bromige, who sentenced Berkley said that the benefits she received were "paid by the state, funded by the taxpayer". He added he had seen no evidence that Berkley had fibromyalgia, and was hesitant to take the word of a convicted fraudster. He also pointed out that Berkley wasn't someone with significant wealth, causing huge concerns among the Cornish community.

He said: "You deliberately didn't disclose your second home and rental income. If you had you wouldn't have been entitled to this benefit. This offence was not borne out of desperation but was borne out of greed."

Recorder Bromige sentenced her to two years in prison, suspended for two years, stating that her old and irrelevant convictions would only cost the taxpayer more if she were to go to jail. The amount she will be made to pay back will be determined in a proceeds of crime hearing.

Zahra Khaliq