Douglas woman admits benefit fraud after £27,000 overpayment

Raby told police she knew she'd have lost benefits if she declared change of circumstances

A Douglas woman has admitted she knew she'd lose her benefits if she told authorities her circumstances had changed.

Victoria Raby of Hutchinson Square pleaded guilty to four charges of making false representation to obtain benefits.

The court heard Raby had not declared receiving a payment of more than £48,000 from a property sale in 2023.

Surveillance was also undertaken at her partner's address, with child services recording her as living at a different address to the one she'd previously declared.

In police interview the 39-year-old acknowledged she should have declared living with her partner, but knew doing so would mean her benefits would have stopped.

Hearing that Raby had been overpaid by more than £27,000, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood said she was considering all options for sentencing, and adjourned the matter until 15 July to allow for a social enquiry report to be compiled.