Women fraudster sentenced after claiming £9,000 in taxi fares

A woman who falsely claimed over £9,000 in taxi fares has been sentenced to 12 months in prison,  suspended for 18 months. 

Tina Shillingford, 49, from West Wickham, Kent, pleaded guilty at Croydon crown court on April 16th.

The court heard how Ms Shillingford's daughter was entitled to free taxi rides between her home and the University of Westminster, via The Student Loans Company, due to a long-term back ailment.

It was then discovered that Ms Shillingford had submitted taxi claims totalling £9,744 over a 20 month period from November 2012 in her daughters name whilst her daughter was abroad.

The McGrath and Co. receptionist was caught after work colleagues suspicions were raised when they noticed a book of taxi reciepts on her computer.

Initially both Ms Shillingford and her daughter Leanne were accused of fraud,  however it was accepted by prosecutors that Leanne Shillingford was an unwitting victim in the fraud.

Shillingford received a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months as well as 180 hours of community service from Judge Alice Robinson. 

Ms Shilling has subsequently paid back all of the money that had been obtained illegally.