Woman claimed her dead mother's benefit

A woman claimed her dead mother's benefit for more than year.

Alexis Rau-Roberts, 21, admitted dishonestly using a document for pecuniary advantage after she collected $13,718 from Work and Income in the name of her dead mother.

Rau-Roberts was receiving the domestic purposes benefit during that time and continues to do so.

Her mother died on June 22, 2003, and Rau-Roberts collected her benefit for 15 months until September 12 2004.

Defence lawyer James Buckle told the Hamilton District Court yesterday that Rau-Roberts had three children and was due to give birth to her fourth child this week.

She had previously lived with her mother and her aunt, who both supported her financially until her mother died and her aunt moved out in 2003.

Mr Buckle said Rau-Roberts had acted out of desperation, telling WINZ that her mother was still alive and filling out forms on her mother's behalf to support herself and children.

She had limited formal education and was undisciplined with spending and budgeting money.

She had no previous convictions.

Judge Paul Barber acknowledged it would have been difficult for Rau-Roberts who was a 19-year-old with three children to support at the time when her mother died.

"It is serious offending but I understand the background and I can see how you got yourself into this situation," he said.

He said a probation report said Rau-Roberts had no alcohol or drug problems and had since learnt how to budget her money.

"All things considered, I can be a bit more lenient than what this situation warrants," Judge Barber said.

He sentenced her to 250 hours community work.

- NZPA