Queensbury woman to stand trial accused of benefit fraud

Christine Newill, 56, appeared before a judge at Bradford Crown Court today (Wednesday) accused of fraud offences covering a period between March 2012 and June 2013.

Newill, of Hillcrest Drive, entered her not guilty pleas to the three allegations and will now stand trial at the crown court on July 7.

During discusssions about the evidence it was indicated that surveillance footage was part of the prosecution case and Judge David Hatton QC said the three-day trial would have to be allocated to a court with facilities for playing the recordings.

Newill’s barrister Jayne Beckett said the defence would be seeking a medical report which could be served on the prosecution by June 6.

One of the fraud charges alleges that between April 2012 and June last year Newill dishonestly claimed disability living allowance by failing to disclose an improvement in her physical capabilities.

The other two allegations relate to claims for employment support allowance and incapacity benefit when it is alleged that Newill failed to disclose to the Department for Work and Pensions that she was no longer incapable of work.

At the end of today’s plea and case management hearing Judge Hatton told Newill she would have to return to the court on July 7 for her trial but he said she would be released on unconditional bail in the meantime.