Financial Controller Admits Benefit Fraud
Appearing at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Friday 11th January 2002, David Rees, a financial controller from Great Ashby, Stevenage pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming Housing Benefit. He had dishonestly obtained £520 in benefit from Stevenage Borough Council on or between 18th December 2000 and 11th March 2001, whilst in employment.
David Rees started temporary employment with a recruitment agency but continued to claim Housing Benefit. This initial employment lasted for several weeks, after which time he secured further employment with another recruitment agency. However, he failed to notify Stevenage Borough Council about the change to his circumstances when he began work. At the time he was also claiming Job Seekers Allowance and was living in private rented accommodation. None of the periods of work were declared to Stevenage Borough Council.
On the 6th March 2001 David Rees contacted the Benefits Service to advise that he was starting work on the 11th March 2001. Following an investigation it came to light that he had in fact commenced this employment on the 14th February 2001.
David Rees was found guilty of obtaining Housing Benefit by failing to declare a change in his circumstances and was given a £200 fine. Stevenage Borough Council was awarded compensation of £520 and costs of £200.
The Council’s Audit & Anti Fraud Manager David Gowing said, "this case highlights the very real and potentially significant penalties faced by customers who do not report changes in their circumstances. This is a key area we are targeting and those customers who decide not to tell us about changes should be aware of the actions that we can take against them if they are caught."
If you know someone who is fraudulently claiming benefits, please telephone the Council’s 24-Hour freephone hotline in confidence on 0800 052 0263.
David Castle, Investigation Manager, Stevenage District Council
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Thumbprint slash credit card frauds
Credit card fraud in Scotland's newest city has dropped by 87 per cent since a thumb scheme was launched in shops.
The success of the project in Inverness has led to calls for its introduction across Scotland.
Credit card fraud in the UK cost £400 million last year and criminal cloning of cards doubled from 1999 to 2000. In Inverness, the losses totalled well over £100,000 a year.
The Thumbprint Signature scheme was introduced to the Highland capital in October and, in just three months has proved to be hugely successful.
Figures released yesterday show the number of incidents involving credit card fraud in the area down from 31 between October and December 2000, to just four over the same period 2001.
The 31 incidents included multiple frauds, with one case involving 25 separate shops being defrauded; another saw a number of filling stations targeted.
The number of cheque frauds has also dropped since the scheme was introduced, from eight in October to December 2000, to two in the same period last year, while thefts of handbags, purses and wallets fell from 52 to 28 as the criminal demand for stolen cards dropped.
Nearly 300 shops in Inverness and 20 in Nairn now ask customers wishing to use credit card, cheque card or sizeable cash-back facilities to provide a thumbprint impression on the back of the credit slip or cheque using an ink-less pad costing just £4.50. The scheme is designed to provide a method of personalising cheques or cards in a way a fraudster cannot. Police use the information if a suspected fraud has taken place.
The scheme was launched by a partnership involving Northern Constabulary, Inverness Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and town stores.
It was introduced to the Highlands after similar exercises proved successful in several towns and cities in England, Wales and in the Untied States. Some banks in the US will now not accept cards or cheques from non-customers without a thumbprint.
Constable Mel Fowler, of Northern Constabulary said: "The results in Inverness have shown a dramatic reduction in fraud and the anticipated knock-on effect has also resulted in less than half the number of thefts involving purses and wallets."
Simon Cole-Hamilton, director of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are delighted with the success of the scheme, which has exceeded all our expectations".
"We would support any other areas who want to take advantage of the scheme. Credit and cheque fraud costs all of us and it's the consumer that picks up the tab."
Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, has written to Jim Wallace the justice minister, urging him to extend the scheme to other parts of Scotland. The executive has said it is evaluating its success.
Jamie Jamison
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Couple convicted of Benefit Fraud
On Monday 1 October 2001 Uttlesford District Council continued its policy of prosecuting fraudulent Benefit claimants.
Elizabeth Smith-Robinson (61) and Peter Robinson (56) both of Globe Crescent, Farnham pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining benefit amounting to £10,974.97. Mrs Smith-Robinson failed to disclose that she was the owner of a business trading from a commercial unit in Chingford. She was sentenced to a 100 hours Community Service Order and ordered to pay £200 costs.
Peter Robinson failed to disclose the business when completing their benefit claim forms and he was also given a 100 hour Community Service Order and ordered to pay £200 costs.
Uttlesford District Council will recover the overpaid benefit through its routine procedures.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's anti-fraud team.
John Mercer, the Council's Head of IT and Audit Services said:
"Fraud remains a significant problem within the benefits system. The Council is committed to the detection and prosecution of those people who commit fraud within the Uttlesford area. Since 1 April 2001 the anti-fraud team has identified and stopped 95 cases of fraud amounting to £101,000 in benefit savings. Approximately half of these cases have resulted in either people appearing in court or formal sanctions being taken against them.
I acknowledge the assistance given to the anti-fraud team by the general public and would urge people to continue to report any suspicions that they may have. Tax payers should remember that they have to pay extra in tax due to those people who continue to commit benefit fraud.
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for
the reporting of suspected fraud. The telephone number is 0800 592794 and
callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
For information:
The defendant appeared at Harlow Magistrates Court on 1 October 2001
Council contact in relation to this press release is Mr Webb 01799 510661
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Fraudulent Benefit Claimant prosecuted by Uttlesford District Council
On Friday 14 September 2001 Uttlesford District Council continued its policy of prosecuting fraudulent Council Tax benefit claimants.
Patricia Askew (53) of Rochford Close, Stansted, Essex pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining benefit amounting to £249.23. Mrs Askew failed to disclose full details of her capital when claiming benefit. She was sentenced to 2 years Conditional Discharge.
Uttlesford District Council will recover the overpaid benefit through its routine procedures.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's anti-fraud team.
John Mercer, the Council's Head of IT and Audit Services said:
"Genuine claimants have nothing to fear, but the Council takes a very serious view of Council Tax Benefit fraud. We will continue to use the full range of powers available to us to combat this problem.
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for the reporting of suspected fraud. The telephone number is 0800 592794 and callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
For information:
The defendant appeared at Harlow Magistrates Court on 14 September 2001
Council contact in relation to this press release is Mr Webb 01799 510661
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Richard ELLIS (35) previously of 7 St Johns Avenue, Bridlington last Thursday pleaded guilty at Bridlington Magistrates Court to 9 charges of receiving benefits by deception.
From September 1997 to July 1998 ELLIS claimed Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support while receiving a student grant, which he did not declare. During this period he fraudulently claimed £5805.35 in benefits.
Magistrates sentenced ELLIS to a custodial sentence of 2 months imprisonment on each charge to run concurrently. Chair of the bench, Mrs McNab, told ELLIS,
"We view benefit fraud as a very serious offence. Throughout this period you committed systematic offences. There was no misunderstanding on your part".
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council are committed to the prevention and detection of Benefit Fraud. Anyone with information on anyone they suspect to be claiming benefits they are not entitled to can all the Benefit FraudLine in CONFIDENCE on 01482 394949.
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Husband and Wife Sentenced for Fraud
A husband and wife team who fraudulently claimed £32,000 Housing and Council Tax Benefit, have been given 12 months prison sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on 08/08/2001.
Claudette and Frank Rouse of Handsworth, Birmingham, who married in 1995, were claiming benefit as tenant and landlord (Claudette claiming in her maiden name).
Judge Davis said " although the couple fully co-operated with the investigation once the fraudulent activities were discovered, it does not take away from the matter they had been falsely claiming benefit for 6 years.
Steve Tomlinson
Principal Investigation Officer
Birmingham City Council
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Mother Jailed for Benefit Fraud
A mother of 3 children who fraudulently claimed £31,000 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit, has been given 12 months prison sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on 17/08/2001.
Rushna Choudhury was claiming for 6 years at a house in Russell Road, Birmingham. On her claim she stated that her landlord lived above a restaurant on Stratford Road, Birmingham.
Following an investigation by Birmingham City Council's Benefit Counter Fraud
Team, it was revealed that the landlord did not exist and that she and her
children, lived with her husband at the property, which he jointly
owned.Sentencing her, judge Lawrence Marshall said:' You have admitted stealing
money from the public cash which is needed for people with housing needs. you
signed the documents with lies and you must have known they were lies'.
Steve Tomlinson
Principal Investigation Officer
Birmingham City Council
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Mohammed Rafiq Khan of Bordesley Green East Birmingham was given a 9 month prison sentence on 24th August 2001.
Mr Khan claimed benefit from the above address purporting to be a rent paying tenant when in reality he was the joint owner of the property. Mr Khan had illegally claimed £15,480 Housing benefit.
Sentencing him judge Alan Taylor said: "Mr Khan had dishonestly obtained Housing Benefit to which he was not entitled to and knew precisely what he was doing at the time".
Steve Tomlinson
Principal Investigation Officer
Birmingham City Council
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A Birmingham man pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception and was jailed for 12 months at Birmingham Crown court. Anthony Collins who falsely claimed from a property in Erica Close, Birmingham, declared he was a rent paying tenant at the property, living as a single man claiming Job Seekers Allowance.
Following investigations it was determined that Mr Collins had resided at the property with his wife who was in full time employment. By exposing the fraud investigators uncovered that Mr Collins made false claims for benefit from 1993 resulting in him receiving£21,349 Housing Benefit which he was not entitled to.
He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on 31/08/2001 before Judge Alan Taylor and pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception.
Steve Tomlinson
Principal Investigation Officer
Birmingham City Council
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Frank Robinson of Royal Borough of Kingston convicted
"Having just read your comments on 'Partners Against Crime' my colleagues and I agree whole heatedly, although don't see anything improving.
The reason for this mail, aside to say it is great to see a web site providing such excellent links and information, and to send you a copy of the most recent press release we have sent out to our local papers.
Hope it is of use, (my comments, (in blue) were to my manager and colleagues)
For your interest, this is the result of our most recent prosecution. There are a couple of points which were particularly interesting in this case. The fact that the Magistrate wanted to offer compensation order to the council.
Because our own recovery procedures are in place and effective we would rather not have the court get involved. A fact which we explained, instead the court awarded full costs £945 (to be paid by the end of the week). These are the highest costs I have seen in a benefit fraud case against a single individual at magistrate's court. The benefits agency generally ask for
between £50 & £75. And this is the amount we are normally granted despite asking for substantially more. (Except in Mitchell where at Crown Court we received £200)
The reason Robinson was not sent to prison was that the probation report showed Robinson had a severe disability.
There was JSA(I) involved in this case, the
benefit agency have counted their overpayment as official error. I have not
attempted to ask them to explain their decision. We did offer them the chance to
take this case forward jointly as I believe fraudulent intent was in Robinson's
mind".
Phil Sapey, Fraud Manager, Royal Borough of Kingston 020 8547 5637
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Benefit Fraud Sentencing
Mr Frank Robinson of Acre Road, Kingston was sentenced today at Kingston Magistrates Court on Tuesday 12th June 2001.
Mr Robinson had been caught by Local Authority Investigators who discovered he was in receipt of an occupational pension, which he had dishonestly failed to declare for a period of eighteen months. This resulted in an overpayment of more than £5,000.
Sentencing Robinson, the Magistrates explained that the offence of making a false statement on a claim form was viewed 'very seriously'. The bench went on to say that he had only narrowly escaped a custodial sentence because of factors alluded to in the probation report.
Robinson must now attend a Community Rehabilitation Programme for the next twelve months, pay back the money that he took from Kingston Council and pay costs of £945.
Benefit Fraud is a crime and is treated as such by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the Courts.
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First successful prosecution following the joint working initiative adopted by Wrexham Council and the Benefits Agency fraud team
Debra Roberts of Wrexham pleaded guilty to failing to declare her employment at her local corner shop. She was sentenced on 15 February 2001 to 180 hours community service and ordered to pays costs. This was the first successful prosecution following the joint working initiative adopted by Wrexham Council and the Benefits Agency fraud team.
Garym Lambert
Counter Fraud Manager
Wrexham County Borough Council
Tel: 01978 29 27 43
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Mr Nathan Ashcroft of Wrexham appeared before Wrexham Magistrates on 15th February- 2001 and was found guilty on charges of theft and false accounting. Mr Ashcroft failed to report that he had started work and continued to claim Social Security and Housing Benefitrs. The magistrates were satisfied that Mr Ashcroft had shown remorse for his action and that he was repaying the debt to Wrexham Council and was fined £250.00 with £75.00costs
Garym Lambert
Counter Fraud Manager
Wrexham County Borough Council
Tel: 01978 29 27 43
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Manageress of Merseyside Citizens Advice Bureau commits fraud
The former manageress of a Merseyside citizens advice bureau stole more than £1,600 from the organisation, a court heard.
Sandra Twitchett, 37, of Grangeside, Gateacre, denies stealing £1,323 from the Netherley branch of the CAB at Belle Vale shopping centre between April and May, 1997.
Twitchett also denies stealing £286 from the CAB in May, 1997, and stealing cash from a credit union member over a three-year period up to May, 1997.
At the time she allegedly committed the offences Twitchett had been manageress of the centre for four years and was earning £19,000 a year.
Gerald Baxter, prosecuting at Liverpool crown court, said Twitchett was responsible for the administration of accounts, the banking of any money received and the authorising of cheques that had to be issued.
Mr Baxter told the jury: "A number of discrepancies came to light after Twitchett left in May 1997 to start maternity leave.
"The prosecution say she was helping herself to money belonging to the CAB
Mr Barker added that Twitchett was also treasurer of the L27 Credit Union with offices in the same building as the CAB.
He alleged that she abused her position by siphoning off money paid in by a credit union member.
When Twitchett was arrested she denied any dishonesty. She said cash and receipts used to go missing from the CAB office through a lack of security.
(Proceeding)
Liverpool Echo
Garym Lambert
Counter Fraud Manager
Wrexham County Borough Council
Tel: 01978 29 27 43
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LGA Leaders hail success of council fraud busting
Council Efforts to tackle fraud have delivered a 30 per cent increase in detection rates over the last two years, an Audit Commission report on fraud has shown.
With housing benefit representing 92 per cent of all detected fraud, LGA Leaders said the report clearly demonstrated how much effort local councils had put in to improving their fraud detection methods.
Cllr Paul Bettison, LGA Housing Chairman said: "Fraud is a serious
problem for local authorities particularly housing departments and I am
delighted that this report shows our efforts in eradicating it are really paying
off".
"Although the value of detected fraud has increased from £1.7million to
£2.4million, this is likely to be the result of council's efforts to focus on
larger fraud cases, with the encouragement of the Department of Social
Security".
"I am disappointed that the Commission had claimed that only a minority of
councils have adopted the Department of Social Security's Verification
Framework. Nearly half of all councils, 44 per cent, have adopted this and
I am surprised that this significant figure is described in this way. This
is also unfair as many councils have their own systems for checking in place,
which produce the same results. Others have chosen not to adopt the
framework as they have found it bureaucratic and time consuming, ironically
leading to them missing Government targets for turning round benefit claims
within 14 days".
"However I am pleased the Commission recognises the hard work by councils in reducing the burden of benefit fraud on honest council taxpayers. Even though the government is constantly changing the benefit fraud scheme, this report proves councils are still working hard to improve fraud detection", he said.
Contact: Andrea da Gama, Senior Press Officer, LGA on 020 7664 3346 or mobile 0467 676234.
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Takeley resident convicted of fraudulently obtaining Housing/Council Tax Benefit
A Takeley resident was convicted at Harlow Magistrates Court on 15 January 2001 of four cases of fraudulently obtaining Housing/ Council Tax benefit. She was sentenced to 60 hours Community Service and ordered to pay costs of £150 to the Council. Miss Noni Shuttlewood of Priors Wood Road Takeley had failed to declare that she was in receipt of a private pension from a former employer.
When interviewed by Uttlesford Council’s Fraud Investigation Team, Miss Shuttlewood, in the presence of her solicitor, admitted failing to inform the Benefits section of her private pension. She also admitted that and she was aware that it should have been declared.
As a result of her failure to declare her full and true circumstances she was overpaid Housing/Council Tax Benefit amounting to £2773.60. Miss Shuttlewood has already started repaying this sum.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's anti-fraud team and close co-operation with the Department of Social Security.
After the hearing, John Mercer, Head of IT and Audit Services at Uttlesford District Council, confirmed its ongoing determination to identify and deal firmly with benefit fraud. "Substantial amounts of public money are lost each year to benefit fraud. This Council takes a serious view of such fraud and will continue to prosecute in all appropriate cases. I would emphasise however that genuine claimants have nothing to fear and we encourage them to claim the benefit to which they are entitled."
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for the reporting of suspected fraud. The telephone number is 0800 592794 and callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
For information:
Council contact in relation to this press release is John Mercer 01799 510421
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Saffron Walden resident convicted for fraudulently claiming Housing/Council Tax
A Saffron Walden resident was convicted at Harlow Magistrates Court on 15 January 2001 of making a fraudulent application for Housing/ Council Tax benefit. Mr Mohammed Islam, who lives in Wards Croft, Saffron Walden, was sentenced to 40 hours Community Service and ordered to pay costs of £150 to the Council. Mr Islam is the proprietor of an Indian Restaurant in Newport. When claiming benefit, he had failed to declare to the Council that he was a director of the restaurant, or that he owned the premises.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's Fraud Investigation Team. Early investigation by the Team prevented any Housing or Council Tax Benefit being paid to Mr Islam.
After the hearing, John Mercer, Head of IT and Audit Services at Uttlesford District Council, confirmed the Council’s ongoing determination to identify and deal firmly with benefit fraud. "Substantial amounts of public money are lost each year to benefit fraud. This Council takes a serious view of such fraud and will continue to prosecute in all appropriate cases. I would emphasise however that genuine claimants have nothing to fear and we encourage them to claim the benefit to which they are entitled.
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for the reporting of suspected fraud. The telephone number is 0800 592794 and callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
For information:
Council contact in relation to this press release is John Mercer 01799 510421
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Great Dunmow couple fraudulently obtain £10,955 in Housing Benefit & Income Support
A Great Dunmow couple have been sentenced after admitting fraudulently obtaining £10,955 in housing benefit and income support.
Susan Clarke, 51, and her partner Denis Burtenshaw, 64, of Waldgrooms, Great Dunmow, Essex, appeared at Harlow Magistrates Court on Wednesday 22 November 2000 after admitting the offences at an earlier hearing.
Clarke admitted six charges of fraudulently obtaining housing benefit totalling £7,787 while working as an auxiliary nurse from June 1997 to September 2000.
She was given a combination order of 100 hours community service and 12 months probation and was also ordered to pay costs of £250 to Uttlesford District Council.
The court heard that as a result of failing to notify the Benefits Agency of Clarke's employment Burtenshaw was overpaid income support of £3,168.
He was given 12 months probation and ordered to pay costs of £250 to Uttlesford District Council.
The Council will be recovering the monies fraudulently obtained through normal recovery procedures.
After the hearing, John Mercer of Uttlesford District Council
confirmed its ongoing determination to root out and deal firmly with benefit
fraud. "The vast majority of the recipients are genuine and we encourage
them to claim the benefit to which they are entitled, however the Council will
continue to take a hard line against those who commit fraud" he said.
For further information please contact Adrian Webb on 01799 510326
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Saffron Walden Resident fraudulently obtains Housing/Council Tax Benefit & Jobseekers Allowance
A Saffron Walden resident, Mr James Paul Freestone of Crocus Fields, pleaded guilty at Harlow Magistrates Court on 13 December 2000 to 3 charges of fraudulently obtaining Housing/Council Tax Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance.
Freestone failed to declare when claiming these benefits that he was working as an aircraft engineer. He also failed to declare ownership of a timeshare property in Tenerife, as well as not declaring all the bank accounts that he held. It was into these undeclared accounts that his earnings were paid. He was aware that had he declared these accounts then he would have had to produce bank statements and details of his work would have become evident.
Freestone declared that he had considerable debts and that this was a contributory factor in him committing the fraud. As a result of failing to declare his true circumstances he was overpaid Housing/Council Tax Benefit of £3634.72 and Jobseekers Allowance of £1936.95. A total overpayment of benefit amounting to £5571.67
Freestone was sentenced to a 200 Hour Community Service Order and ordered to pay costs of £200 to Uttlesford District Council.
Freestone has already arranged a voluntary repayment programme to repay the fraudulently obtained benefit.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's anti-fraud team and close co-operation with the Department of Social Security.
John Mercer, the Council's Head of Audit said:
"Genuine claimants have nothing to fear, but the Council takes a very serious view of Housing Benefit fraud. Any changes in circumstances must be notified to the Council as soon as they occur.
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for the reporting of suspected fraud. The telephone number is 0800 592794 and callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
For information:
Council contact in relation to this press release is Adrian Webb (Uttlesford DC) 01799 510326
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Three residents fraudulently obtain benefits
Two Uttlesford residents pleaded guilty at Harlow Magistrates Court on Friday 13 October 2000 to fraudulently obtaining benefit by failing to disclose full details of their incomes.
Marion Saunders (44) of Goddard Way, Saffron Walden pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining benefit amounting to £1,420 and received a 12 month conditional discharge. The Council was awarded costs of £200.
Teresa Twin (35) of Bannister Green, Felsted pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining benefit amounting to £687 and received a 12 month conditional discharge. The Council was awarded costs of £200.
In addition, Derek Whyard (39) of Woodfields, Stansted was found guilty in his absence of fraudulently obtaining benefit amounting to £213 by failing to disclose full details of his income. He was fined £75 and ordered to pay costs of £100.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's anti-fraud team and close co-operation with the Department of Social Security.
John Mercer, the Council's Head of Audit said:
"Genuine claimants have nothing to fear, but the Council takes a very serious view of Housing Benefit fraud. Any changes in circumstances must be notified to the Council as soon as they occur.
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for the reporting of suspected fraud. The telephone number is 0800 592794 and callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
Contact in relation to this press release is John (Uttlesford DC) Mercer 01799 510421
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Essex resident obtains benefit by failing to disclose full details of her income
Lindsay Davies (25) of Weaverhead Close, Thaxted, Essex today pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining benefit by failing to disclose full details of her income.
Ms Davies, a taxi driver, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining benefit amounting to £1,183.32 and was sentenced to 12 months conditional discharge. The Council was awarded costs of £40.
The fraud came to light as a result of initiatives undertaken by the Council's anti-fraud team.
John Mercer, the Council's Head of Audit said:
"Genuine claimants have nothing to fear, but the Council takes a very serious view of Housing Benefit fraud. Any changes in circumstances must be notified to the Council as soon as they occur.
The Council operates a 24 hour freephone telephone line for the reporting of suspected fraud. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so."
The Council will also be following its standard recovery procedures in relation to the overpaid benefit of £1183.32.
For information:
The defendant appeared at Harlow Magistrates Court on 15 September 2000
Council contact in relation to this press release is Mr (Uttlesford DC)Webb 01799 510326
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Prosecution Update - Anthony Doyle has now been convicted
With reference to the article relating to the Benefit Fraud trial of DCI
Anthony Doyle of the Merseyside Drugs Squad. On Friday 20 October 2000, both Anthony Doyle and his partner were convicted of all charges relating to claims for Council Tax Benefit and Income Support. Both are to be sentenced on 16/11/00, but Doyle is expected to appeal in the meantime.For your information, Liverpool City Council Fraud Investigators worked with Merseyside Anti-Corruption officers on this case for a period of 12 months. We have been informed that Doyle is due to appear at a disciplinary hearing before the Merseyside Chief Constable before the end of the month, presumably this will happen if he avoids a custodial !
Bernie Davies,
Liverpool City Council, Counter Fraud Manager 0151-225-3149-----------------------------
Successful prosecutions achieved by Birmingham City Council
In August 2001, there were a number of successful prosecutions which were
achieved by Birmingham City Council, Benefit Counter Fraud Team.Mr Khan claimed benefit from the above address purporting to be a rent paying tenant when in reality he was the joint owner of the property. Mr Khan had illegally claimed £15,480 Housing benefit.
Sentencing him judge Alan Taylor said "'Mr Khan had dishonestly obtained Housing Benefit to which he was not entitled to and knew precisely what he was doing at the time".
4) A Birmingham man pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception and was jailed for 12 months at Birmingham Crown Court.
Anthony Collins who falsely claimed from a property in Erica Close, Birmingham, declared he was a rent paying tenant at the property, living as a single man claiming Job Seekers Allowance.
Following investigations it was determined that Mr Collins had resided at the property with his wife who was in full time employment. By exposing the fraud, investigators uncovered that Mr Collins made false claims for benefit from 1993 resulting in him receiving £21,349 Housing Benefit which he was not entitled to.
He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on 31/08/2001 before Judge Alan Taylor and pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception.
Steve Tomlinson (Principal Investigation Officer)
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