HERE’S a selection of court cases featured in this week’s Barnsley Chronicle:
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A ROYSTON woman pleaded guilty to taking more than £3,800 in benefits while working.
Linda Clark, 31, from Newton Avenue, pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances affecting the entitlement to social security benefits at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.
From August 2015 to January 2016 Miss Clarke had failed to notify Barnsley Council and the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances which could affect her entitlement to income support.
And from August 2015 until February 2016, she had also failed to notify the DWP about a change in circumstances which could affect her entitlement to carer’s allowance.
Prosecuting, Miss Chantel Lowery Green said civil recovery were dealing with £3,805.43 which Miss Clarke had claimed since starting a part-time job as a cashier at a petrol station in July 2015.
Mitigating, Mr Philip Stables described how Miss Clarke was a single parent caring for two children who both have special needs, and she was ‘on her own struggling with difficult circumstances’.
He said Miss Clarke had initially been uncertain about taking on the job as a permanent position as she was unsure about childcare, and accepts that she didn’t take the decision to notify the authorities and the ‘situation began to spiral out of control’.
Deputy district judge Mr Spencer said it was ‘a substantial amount of money over six months’.
Miss Clarke was ordered to work with the probation services to find out if she was suitable for unpaid work.
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A BARNSLEY woman pleaded not guilty to burglary at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.
Kelly Dearden, 38, from Pleasant View, Cudworth, denied a charge of burglary of a dwelling and theft without violence.
Between May 5 and May 8 this year she is charged with trespassing at a Pleasant View home and stealing electrical items including two televisions, an electric guitar and amplifier, jewellery, and a safe containing £800 and 150 Euros.
The total stolen is valued at £2,048.
Miss Dearden will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on November 22 for trial.
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A BARNSLEY woman pleaded guilty to breaking a man’s window.
Emma Jane Roberts, 36, from Crown Close, Worsbrough Common, pleaded guilty at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court to breaking Christopher Corke’s window on August 11.
Prosecuting, Miss Chantel Lowery Green described how a rock thrown by Miss Roberts had created a small hole in a window of Mr Corke’s property.
Deputy district judge Mr Spencer ordered a conditional discharge and £85 in costs and £20 victim surcharge to be deducted from Miss Roberts’ welfare benefits.
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A BARNSLEY man pleaded guilty to drugs charges at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.
Thomas Stuart Denton, 22, of Lancaster Street, pleaded guilty to possessing class A drug cocaine and class B drug cannabis, both with intent to supply, on June 27.
Deputy district judge Mr Spencer said Mr Denton had ‘done the best thing’ by pleading guilty at the first opportunity, and would receive maximum credit for it.
He was granted unconditional bail until his sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on November 15.
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A LEEDS man denied assault at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.
Andrew Lee Green, 30, from Brackham Court, Leeds denied the charge of common assault.
He was alleged to have assaulted Sarah Cassin on September 24.
He will appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court for trial on December 19.
