Dalston benefit cheat is jailed after 12-year fraud

A benefit cheat who falsely claimed nearly £38,000 was caught after she was asked to produce her passport for a CRB check.

Daphne Noble, 53, of Navarino Mansions in Dalston Lane, claimed housing and council tax benefit from 1998 to 2010 while working as a cook at a school in Haringey under a false name, Nerissa Brown.

After being asked to provide identification for the check, she brought in a passport in her real name. The anomaly was spotted by staff and Hackney Council conducted an investigation.

Ms Noble pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to five counts of dishonestly making false statements to obtain benefits.

She was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and will also be required to pay back the full £38,132.93.

Cllr Samantha Lloyd, cabinet member for finance, said: “I hope this case sends out a message to those who seek to defraud Hackney Council and its residents that they will not get away with it.

“Ms Noble went to great lengths to hide her deception over many years, but ultimately she is the one paying the price for stealing a huge sum from the public purse.”