Resident fined for Council Tax fraud

20 Jan 2026

A resident who falsely claimed more than £4,200 in Council Tax support by not disclosing that another adult was living with her has been fined.

Lynda Fleming, 40, of Snowdon Court in Haverhill, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday 13 January 2026, when she pled guilty to two fraud offences.

She admitted a charge of failure to declare another adult in the household to obtain a Council Tax discount, and another of fraud by false representation, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.

The court heard Fleming had been in receipt of Council Tax Support and a 25 per cent Single Person Discount since November 2020. Information received in September 2022 indicated that an adult male was also residing at the address.

Subsequent enquiries established that the adult male had been living at the property since 2020, meaning the household was not eligible for the Single Person Discount and the claim for Council Tax Support was not based on correct circumstances.

Fleming’s fraud amounted to an overpayment of £4,221.68 in Council Tax Support and Single Person Discount paid out between November 2020 and September 2023.

After Fleming failed to attend her hearing, a warrant was issued and she was arrested in January 2026 and detained to attend court where she then entered guilty pleas to all charges.

She was prosecuted by Anglia Revenues Partnership on behalf of West Suffolk Council.

The court ordered that she pay a fine of £333, £575 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £133. 

Cllr Diane Hind, Cabinet Member for Resources at West Suffolk Council said: “We recognise that there are residents in West Suffolk who are struggling, and assistance is available to them. It is crucial that we continue to prioritise and protect Council Tax Support for those truly in need.

“Fraud cases like these impact all fellow West Suffolk taxpayers. They place an increased strain on public services and risk higher costs for everyone else. Taking these cases to court are a last resort. When it is evident that a claim is fraudulent, we will prosecute so that they serve as a deterrent to others.”

Residents facing financial difficulties should contact Anglia Revenues Partnership to explore the available support options. Advice and information on the help available can be found at: Anglia Revenues Partnership - Money Advice

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