Alleged 10-year benefits fraud case to hit Royal Court

Tuesday 23 July 2019

A 64-year-old woman accused of benefits fraud spanning 10 years will be appearing in the Royal Court later this year to answer the charges against her.

Laurentina Da Conceicaso Baptista Martins is alleged to have withheld "material information" in a bid to obtain a Social Security award between 3 April 2008 and 2 August 2018.

She is also facing a second charge of "receiving awards to the value of £1,520.05 in the form of special payments knowing that they were not properly receivable by her."

Pictured: Mrs Martins is charged with Social Security Fraud.

She appeared in Magistrate's Court on 19 July, but the Assistant Magistrate, Peter Harris, declined jurisdiction upon recommendations from Legal Adviser Sam Morris, who said it was a matter for the Royal Court.

Mrs Martins, who was represented by Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, has been released on bail until her next appearance in court.

Her case will be formally sent to the Royal Court on 16 August.