Two people in the Vale of White Horse have been handed criminal records after pleading guilty to benefit fraud. On 28 September at Oxford Magistrates’ Paul Lloyd, 62, of Wicklesham Farm Cottages, Faringdon was fined £135 and ordered to pay more than £600 costs. He had admitted dishonestly failing to report a change in circumstances in relation to his claims for council tax reduction and housing benefit. In July 2013 Lloyd failed to inform Vale of White Horse District Council that had begun work as a coach driver. As a result he claimed almost £1,000 that he wasn’t entitled to, money that he must now pay back in full. Also on 28 September at Oxford Magistrates’, Penelope Alder, 65, of Martens Road, Shrivenham, was handed a two year conditional discharge after admitting three charges of dishonestly failing to disclose information in relation to her claims for council tax reduction, council tax benefit and housing benefit when she lived at a previous address in Pound Piece, Ashbury. Alder had failed to disclose more than £26,000 in savings which would have meant she was no longer able to claim housing benefit and council tax reduction. As a result she wrongly received more than £6,600. Alder must now pay this money back along with £739 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Everyone who claims benefits has a responsibility to tell us if they experience a change in circumstance or have additional money that could affect the amount of money they are entitled to. If you fail to do that you could end up in court, which often results in a criminal record, fine or further punishment.”