Pr03-London Borough of Sutton                                                                                           XX May 2003

Sutton resident jailed for fraud

A Stanley Road resident, charged with four counts of fraud, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for each offence, to run concurrently.

And during his sentencing at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 23 May, His Honour, Judge Thomas recommended that Nouri Talabany served at least three months of his sentence.

Sutton Council’s Benefit Investigation Section worked with the local police crime squad to arrest and charge Mr. Talabany with fraudulently obtaining £15,624.10 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit, which has now been repaid in full. Further claims of £10,361.48 were stopped by the council.

For four years Mr. Talabany claimed that he was not related to his landlord – who was in fact his estranged wife. On 1 April the jury returned unanimous verdicts of guilty on all four counts following his three-day trial.

A council spokesperson said: “The council, police and law courts will not put up with this behaviour. Those who plan deliberate deception using public funds will be prosecuted.”

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