Reigate man prosecuted for £652 benefit fraud

Thomas Kelly claimed £652 in housing benefit to which he was not entitled after he failed to declare his Incapacity Benefit had ceased, and that he had started work. He was given a £250 fine and ordered to pay £200 costs to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.

The council was first alerted to Mr Kelly’s change in circumstances by his landlord, who was in receipt of the benefit.

Note that it was left to Mr Kelly to declare his incapacity benefit had ceased. In this age of computers, why?

The council say it's their policy to take legal action against people who fail to notify a change of circumstances that they know would affect their claim to benefit - as it is at nearby Tandridge.

The punishment is also notable. For this small offence the fine and costs alone amount to 69% of the amount stolen.

Larger thefts aren't punished proportionately.