Douglas woman admits £37K benefit fraud

Court hears 56-year-old has previous conviction for same offence

A Douglas woman has admitted claiming more than £37,000 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to.

Julie Elizabeth Corlett, of Lord Street, pleaded guilty to committing benefit fraud during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse.

The 56-year-old failed to inform Treasury that her circumstances had changed – and that her partner was receiving an occupational pension – between June 2017 and November 2022.

She also admitted to making a false representation to obtain Income Support in July 2018 – she'd also failed to declare his three bank accounts.

This resulted in an overpayment of £37,603.16p.

The court heard Corlett has a previous conviction for benefit fraud – in 2019 she was sentenced after fraudulently obtaining £38,000.

A social enquiry report has been requested before Corlett is sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery – she’s been bailed until her next appearance before that court on 7 July.

Update: Corlett is due to be sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery on 30 August.