Wigan Department for Work and Pensions employee face multiple charges of fraud

A Wigan civil servant has been accused of repeatedly awarding herself benefits to which she wasn't entitled.

By Charles Graham

Published 18th Mar 2023, 12:30 GMT- 1 min read

Susan Barlow, 47, of Warrington Road, Ince, appeared before borough magistrates to face nine charges of illegally processing universal credit claims for herself while an employee of the Department for Work and Pensions in Wigan.

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She is being prosecuted under the 2006 Fraud Act, the charges accusing her of "dishonestly abusing her position" when she should have been working in the interests of the DWP, not against them.

The hearing was told that the DWP was defrauded by Barlow over a three-month period in 2021

Wigan Department for Work and Pensions employee face multiple charges of fraud

The crimes are alleged to have taken place at regular intervals between May and July 2021.

The case was adjourned until April 19, before which Barlow is on unconditional bail.