A woman from Douglas, Isle of Man has been fined £800 after failing to declare her partner was living with her while claiming benefits.
India Hough, 28, received £5,570 in overpayments through Employed Persons Allowance after not informing authorities about changes to her living situation.
The 28-year-old had initially denied the allegation when a trial was set to take place last month.
However, she changed her plea to guilty on Thursday, January 16, after an agreement was reached to amend the dates on the charge.
A woman from Douglas, Isle of Man has been fined £800 after failing to declare her partner was living with her while claiming benefits
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The court heard that while her initial claim from May 2023 was legitimate, she later failed to report when her partner moved back in.
Surveillance was placed on Hough’s address for over a month between November 20 and January 12.
During this period, her partner was observed leaving the property each morning.
Investigators also accessed bank statements as part of their enquiry into her circumstances.
When interviewed by the Department of Health and Social Care, Hough claimed she had separated from her partner and that he only looked after the children while she worked.
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She insisted at the time that he would leave when she returned from work.
In a probation report, Hough acknowledged failing to inform authorities about her changed circumstances.
She explained to probation officers that she had been working until 1am, during which time her partner had been present late at the property.
She also disclosed that he had been visiting to see their children before school, and confirmed they had now resumed their relationship.
The probation report noted that Hough was not suitable for community service due to childcare commitments.
India Hough received £5,570 in overpayments through Employed Persons Allowance after not informing authorities about changes to her living situation
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The court heard that Hough had no relevant previous convictions.
Hough has begun repaying the benefits at a rate of £80 per month.
Her advocate, Louise Cooil, told the court that her client had offered to plead guilty to a different date period in June, but this was initially declined by prosecutors.
Cooil argued that Hough had endured a long waiting period for trial when the guilty plea could have been agreed much sooner.
The advocate noted that Hough, like other defendants, had been claiming benefits while navigating a complicated relationship situation.
Magistrates ordered no prosecution costs, with Hough to pay her £800 fine at £20 per week, deducted from benefits.