Home News Local & Flintshire News

Holywell town councillor accused of claiming benefits in dead wife’s name

A TOWN councillor is alleged to have claimed £21,000 in benefits in his dead wife’s name.

Michael Mills, 64, a member of Holywell Town Council, allegedly carried on claiming benefits with his wife’s Post Office card despite the fact she died in 2010.

Mills appeared for the first time at Flintshire Magistrates Court at Mold on Tuesday facing 14 fraud charges, brought by the Department of Work and Pensions.

The case against Mills, of School Lane in Greenfield, was adjourned administratively by the clerk to the court in the absence of the magistrates. No details of the case were revealed.

A total of 11 charges dating from December 29, 2011 to January this year allege he dishonestly obtained cash using a Post Office card which was not his and which he was not entitled to use.

He faces two charges of failing to give prompt notification of a change of circumstances – that his wife had died on January 23, 2010.

The final charge alleges he made a false representation in July 2008 – that he failed to declare he was in receipt of a mine workers’ occupational pension when he completed a pension credit application form.

He was not asked to enter any pleas at this stage.

The case was adjourned so defending solicitor Brian Cross could take instructions on a large amount of documentation which was handed over by prosecutor Tony Newnes.

The defendant was granted unconditional bail in the meantime.

Share