In court for fraud over housing benefit and JSA - please help

[Amandajane39]

I was hoping for some reassurance really.

 

I have Court on the 27th November for £9,000 Housing Benefit and Job seekers I believe.

 

I do have a Solicitor and I'm going trough getting Legal Aid

not sure I will be granted it so may have to represent myself and I honsestly don't know if I can.

 

My Solicitor said she is 98% sure I won't go to Prison, but I am terrified.

 

I have a 8 year old Son with ADHD and Tics and I myself have depression, ocd.

I genuinly feel awful but,

 

I finished my last relationship by violence and my other past relationships were all controlling and violent,

then I met a woman who I really fell for,

 

I was terrified that it would all go wrong,

I was scared to declare her, just incase,

 

I am suffering even more for doing so, which I understand.

 

my main worry is will I go to Prison,

I am so scared, and can't eat properly,

 

all I keep thinking about is what if I'm not here for Xmas :

( sorry for the Essay, even though I've been told by the Solicitor, I'm still worried sick. Thankyou

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG. I've started a thread for you, please continue to post on this one.

 

I think you should believe your solicitor that prison is highly unlikely. Can you tell us more about what has happened please? That way it will be easier for us to advise you.

 

Best, HB

[Amandajane39]

Hi. Thankyou.

 

I have been in many violent relationships,

one was an alcoholic,

the others were either controlling or violent,

 

the last one was the worst,

he broke my ribs,

smacked me around,

strangled me,

kicked me,

controlled,

mentally abused me.

 

I went to a bbq and met a woman,

we clicked and she managed to get me away from the relationship and we became romantically involved,

 

I was claiming Housing Beneifit and JSA and I didn't declare her,

purely cuz I was worried sick she would turn out like the rest and didn't want to go official until I knew,

 

well she works as a Support Worker and I told her to tell her work where she was living (My address) which then obv went back,

 

I didn't think to be honest,

I'm going to Court for £9k odd (Just under £10k)

I am terrified that I will go to Prison,

 

I've been Googling up other peoples cases and I am getting so worked up.

 

I should have declared her and I am stupid,

 

I know I am, and I am also pleading Guilty, as what I did was wrong, but I am so worried

 

I forgot to mention, that she was also my first Female Relationship so I was worried about that aswell

[Guest]

your sol has the full facts upon interview, so best to go with their advice as honeybee says.

your sol shld advise re any legal aid entitlement.

[tomtom256]

For a £9,000 offence it is highly unlikely you will go to prison, also if you are the sole carer to your son this would be a no no for the courts when looking at sentencing guiedlines.

 

Normally the outcome is a small fine, costs and victim surcharge, but a lot of cases get a conditional discharge with no fine.

 

If you google the magistrates court near you it may give you an example of what others have had if its been publicised.

[Amandajane39]

Thankyou,

I am just so worried,

I wish I had believed my Girlfriend, and I had declared her in the first place, but I was so scared.

 

I'm now panicking as it looks like Legal Aid may not be granted,

so im worrying as I wil have represent myself,

do you think if his happens,

 

It will change the sentencing.

 

Thankyou for the reply.

[Guest]

firstly, find out for sure whether or not you will have legal aid/representation. your sol will advise.