Here is a brief overview on how it went on the day: Just before i entered the court room my solicitor presented me with a new offer from the council, which they claimed would have immediately halted the trial and i would have been cleared of everything...charges etc. All they wanted me to do was write a statement there and then stating that I had made a mistake and had taken the documents into another council department instead, and then sign the statement. I would also have to withdraw my plea and the council would then submit this new statement as 'late evidence' This would have been a complete lie, and i immediately refused as I suspected they were trying to trick me. On refusing the bribe I entered the courtroom and the trial began. It was long and hard going in there - but i could see from the start the council were not as confident as they had previously had been. I am so glad I won - I feel like a huge weight has been lifted I am now persuing matters to sue the council for the damage and mistakes they have made.

Thankyou surprise, you have been very supportive and helpful. Thank you so much - will keep you posted on how ombudsman complaint goes.

Hi All!! I have been to court today and have WON. I am still in shock . I have been fighting this matter for so long and now its a relief that its over. I am now going to contact the ombudsman - as there is now no grounds for excuses anymore. I am so glad I stuck it out despite all the threats and mad offers put for me to not progress to trial. I can finally sigh relief as the stress has been lifted. A message to anyone else who is claiming housing benefit and facing anything like me- stick to your guns - don't let them pull wool over your eyes with offers or its another way for THEM to get you to back down. Thankyou to everyone who has helped me I will update as soon as heard news from ombudsman. Thanx Bubblzbee

Thankyou dano123 for your support. It is very hard to fight when they put so much pressure on you. They have threatened me with my job, a conviction, debt. Its disgraceful. I have some updates to post as still ongoing and still awaiting to go to court as it keeps being postponed. My case was originally meant to be in jan, and was re scheduled for mid april. However I received a letter today informing me that my trial had been moved to June. The council have been reluctant to help my solicitor with enquiries though I have got backing now from my local MP which is fantastic, and they are making enquiries of their own. As for the Ombudsman I have yet to have a response from them after i sent them a letter requesting them now look into my complaint as the time limit imposed by them had lapsed and still the council have not responded to my complaint/appeal adequetly. The council have written to me informing me that they are unable to look into my complaint until after the court hearing. They also add that they have contacted the ombudsman and informed them of this, so it seems I am still left waiting for them to do something. My first appeal was filed on 14th August 2008 and i am still waiting for them to look into it. It is rediculous as now the court date has been rescheduled for june they will soon contact me telling me they cannot look into it until after the new date. I am not going to back down. I have already been informed by my solicitor and the MP that the whole fact they are offering me to pay the admin penalty up to the day of the court hearing is a sign they are not confident in the strength of their case. I am stressed to hell, but nothing I cannot handle, i am used to it now. I have been battling with this for so long, I feel I must fight on regardless. I know they will never appologies for what they have put me and my family through. I will keep updating as soon as I have any new info. Thanks again

I was informed by my solicitor that the court date had been postponed due to a witness recovering after an operation. The witness is a countil housing officer. I am not sure what to make of it, but least the ombudsman has a few months to look into the matter now before the new court date. fingers crossed

Hi all. My court date has been postponed, in a few months. Council still not responded to complaint. Have sent another letter to Ombudsman and Mp asking for something to be done. The councils deadline given by the ombudsman has now ceased ,so fingers crossed will start investigating into the matter. Will update as know more.......

Hi all. Sorry been a while, had a letter from the council last week saying that despite being given extra 12 weeks to look into my complaint they are not going to look into it until after the trial . I have sent another letter to the ombudsman outlining again my concerns, and updating on info. I am still going to fight this matter in court and will update as soon as I know more. I do not expect the ombudsman to beable to do much prior to the trial, so am preparing everything with my solicitor. I have also written a letter to my MP too, and am waiting to hear.

No news to report yet, still have not heard anything from the council. Case pending, will update as soon as news. Thanks BB

I think they were hoping I would accept the penalty, and back out. I am going to keep fighting. Will be glad once defence complete with solicitor. I am still awaiting a response from the Chief Executive regarding my complaint that was forwarded from the ombudsman. I will update as soon as any more news

Hi. case adjurned . Have been accepted for legal aid, and have a solicitor to represent me now too. Council tried to get me to accept admin penalty again to stop proceedings but I have declined. Will update more when I have seen solicitor Wasn't as scary as i'd previously thought.

not heard anything as yet. Will update as soon as know anything more. After monday. Hope Chief ex do act fast. Thanks BB

It has gone to the chief Ex They have been given 12 weeks to deal with my complaint

Thats a good point, hadn't thought about it like that, just saw it as a negative reaction regarding the ombudsman, though I wll be keeping intouch with them, as the council have not responded to the letter at all. It will be intersting what happens at court. I have received my BT phone bills, and it shows the calls during the time my job started, and shows the calls I made to them, numerous calls. Both to the council and tax credits. I am alot calmer now. now I have proof regarding comms. As no receipt my telephone is the next thing that can show this. I will update as soon as I know anything thanks .

oh I see. So the summons date is to state my plea and then a date will be set for the trial, so it doesn't matter at the moment I haven't heard back off legal aid. I have already sent in my plea by post(not guilty) I do hope it is adjourned, so can get solicitor sorted out. I am trying to be calm. When you are faced with something you have never experienced before its rather frightening.

Hiya. I am still awaiting to hear back from legal aid - found a solicitor to help me put in legal aid claim. Heared back from the Ombudsman, they have passed my letter back to the council giving then 12 weeks to respond, I have asked this desicion to be reconsidered but was told they could not intervine until after the court hearing. I have heard nothing from the council regarding my ombudsman letter they have received, they received 2 weeks ago. The Solicitor has not looked at anything regaarding my case yet - said pointless if refused legal aid. Will look when/if accepted. Bit confused as I have got court monday coming and have been told I do not need to take anything regarding the case with me as only first hearing - am totally confused. I thought the summons meant the actual trial was on the date given, but told not so. Can you advise? I don't want to turn up with nothing, nor do I want to turn up with everything but have no representation. Thanks

Morning. Thanks it doesn't count then. It is the only time they have put it, but its within text.

ok, on the original letter informing me of the overpayment and how collecting back it says under further information. 'please note that repayments of overpaid benefit will be accepted 'without prejudice' to any further action the council may take if it is alleged that an offence has been committed.' From what I can see this is the only time they have put this, it is near bottom.

The court date is soon. Its a bit daunting but I have been doing alot of research into criminal law and my rights and feel more confident than i did in how to present the information as my defence. Its difficult to use the correct wording and format. with the advice given and what I have found on this site its been amazing. Sorry I meant in respect of the prosecution they believe the evidence to be accurate, and hence they signed as witness.

I think might be best to wait to hear from the ombudsman before requesting tape. Good point about MP. Will look into that. The signature is on each piece of evidence, so I think its to declare it is accurate, so to speak.

After the interview I was given a couple of letters regarding how to get the tape and about my rights and what happens next, I have not asked for a copy of the tape though, should I get a copy then? The transcript I have is what the council sent me with summons information. As it is not accurate it prob is worth me getting one. I will find out what i need to do and put in a request.

ok will do. I will send today. Thanks

I have just checked online regarding ombudsman letter with track and trace. It was received 29/10 . I will update as soon as poss.

I didn't no, i just outlined the facts, I will write another cover letter and send today. Thanks

The letter sent to the ombudsman was like my original post but more indepth detail. Oh one other thing i forgot to mention was that from November 2007- july 2008 I was also volunteering at the same school, doing more hours volunteering than I was working as a dinner lady. I have proof of this volunteer work too.

Hiya. The interview under caution was with two pepole, however the statement sent to the court is the investigating officers statement, The interview under caution they have provided a transcript but again this is badly typed and also contains alot of missing words and errors, making it difficult to even read. Each item has a witness signature on it. each items signed has been submitted to the court as evidence. I hope the ombudsman help, from what people have said they are very helpful, so fingers crossed. Thankyou all for your help and advice regarding this I will update as soon as hear anything.