Woman fiddled benefits

A WOMAN who reported a politician to a benefits hotline after being found guilty of fraud herself, broke down in tears in court.

Rebecca McGladdery, of Galland Street, Greenacres, admitted failing to comply with a community order she is currently serving after falsely-claiming benefits over a 15-month period.

Appearing before Oldham magistrates yesterday, McGladdery (44) told the court one of the reasons for not attending on one occasion was down to taking an English exam. She also admitted she had a “big problem with timekeeping”.

McGladdery admitted fraudulently claiming benefits, while working between January, 2008, and April, 2009, to the cost of £6,413.

She made claims before last year’s General Election, while working for the Labour Party, that Liberal Democrat candidate Elwyn Watkins was paying staff £2.80 less than the minimum wage when she worked previously for the party in 2009.

An investigation into the claims were later dropped by HM Revenue and Customs after they proved unfounded.

Chairman of the bench, Mr Clayber, said: “We are going to add 20 hours to your unpaid work, which sets you back to the start.

“This is a dangerous path you are treading.”