Fraudulent local barrister let off with slap on the wrist

Ealing Council is outraged at the lenient sentence awarded yesterday to Mr Khalick Bhatoo, of West End Road, Southall, who was found guilty by Kingston Magistrates’ Court on two counts of housing benefit fraud.

The barrister escaped with 140 hours community service for conning Ealing Housing Benefit department out of £3,500.  He was also ordered to pay £1000 costs to the council.

Council officers expressed their dismay that the hard work carried out by Ealing Council and the local police force to crack down on fraud was being undermined by inadequate sentencing.

“This amounts to nothing more than a slap on the wrist and we are very disappointed” said Ealing Councillor Liz Brooks yesterday.  “What sort of message is this sending other potential fraudsters?  The conviction may well have a serious effect on his professional standing, but the failure to impose a fine is staggering.”

The charges against Mr Bhatoo stretch back to 1999 when he created a false tenancy agreement for a friend’s property, in order to claim housing benefit.  He neglected to mention his £40,000 a year salary as a self-employed barrister practising at chambers in Middle Temple, EC1.

During his four day trial, Bhatoo pleaded not guilty to 3 counts of benefit fraud and was found guilty of two: furnishing a tenancy agreement that he knew to be false, and making a false statement by stating he was not self-employed as a barrister.  In his summing up, Judge Swan stated that Mr Bhatoo’s actions were “planned, consistent and dishonest” and that he “tried to avoid responsibility and blame others”.   But despite the carefully planned nature of the crime, Bhatoo avoided a custodial sentence.

Councillor Liz Brooks was adamant that Ealing would continue to battle against fraud, despite this disappointment.  “Ealing has traditionally taken a tough line on fraudsters and this setback will not deter us – benefit fraud is a particularly unpleasant crime as it takes money away from people who desperately need support and who are on incomes that a barrister would regard as pocket money.”

Louise Neilan - 020 8825 8323
Press Office   Tel 020 8825 6551  
Fax: 020 8579 5224  press@ealing.gov.uk
www.ealing.gov.uk