Woman given suspended sentence after altering documents in bid to gain social tenancy

Jade Hardiman, 36, of Ash Tree Avenue, Godmanchester, Cambridge, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 11 July 2025, where she pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud, including fraud by false representation and making or supplying articles for use in fraud, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.

The case centred around applications made by Hardiman between October 2022 and July 2023 to the council’s housing register.

An investigation by the Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) found that she had misrepresented her personal circumstances, failed to disclose key information, and supplied altered documents to support her application.

The altered documents included utility bills which had been changed to give the impression that she had a genuine local connection to the district, a requirement for consideration for social housing.

Hardiman was sentenced on 8 August 2025 at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court, and given  a 12-week prison sentence on each of the four charges, suspended for 12 months.

She was also ordered to attend 12 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions with HM Probation Service, pay £3,000 in prosecution costs to the council, and a £150 victim surcharge.

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Cllr Daniel Allen, Leader of North Herts Council and Executive Member for Governance, said: “This case shows that we take fraud against the council and our community extremely seriously. Social housing is in short supply and must be allocated fairly to those in genuine need. When individuals submit false applications, they undermine public trust and take homes away from vulnerable residents who truly need them.

“I would like to thank our officers and the SAFS team for their hard work in bringing this case to court. We are committed to protecting our services and ensuring fairness and integrity in our housing system.”

Adam Carey