Tina Taylor, from Basildon, has admitted dishonestly claiming nearly £7,000 in benefits.
She was ordered to repay the full amount and sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 180 hours of unpaid work. Magistrates also ordered her to pay £150 towards prosecution costs.
30 Oct 2009
There's a clue here somewhere ...
The DWP really needs to start looking at families with multiple disability claims.
Thus a Garstang woman lied that nine of her eleven children were disabled - and invented another - allowing her to claim £52,705 of tax credit benefits. She escaped jail because she's a mother with a large family. Recorder Rachel Smith, who sentenced her to nine months suspended for two years said: "It is not in the public interest to cast this further financial burden on the tax payer for the period of a custodial sentence which would be short in any event".
Separately, Laqad Yacoob, a benefits officer for Manchester City Council, has been jailed for 14 months for a £75,518 benefit fraud.
He claimed to hyperventilate if he went outdoors on his own, suffered panic attacks and had severe pain in his back and legs - but was seen break-dancing on his back at a town hall bash held by managers to say "thank you" to staff for their hard work! (Doubtless at our expense)
Yacoob claimed that he, his wife Shaida, who worked as a school dinner lady, son Jameel and daughter Zahida all suffered from various illnesses. They had a new top-of-the-range VW Golf and a new silver BMW i series - courtesy of state mobility payments - and lived in a £190,000 three-bed semi in Stretford, Greater Manchester. He brought her to England after an arranged marriage in Pakistan.
Yacoob and his wife have had their cars confiscated and a Proceeds of Crime Application pursued by the DWP will take place next March to try to recoup the lost money and the family may lose their home.
Thus a Garstang woman lied that nine of her eleven children were disabled - and invented another - allowing her to claim £52,705 of tax credit benefits. She escaped jail because she's a mother with a large family. Recorder Rachel Smith, who sentenced her to nine months suspended for two years said: "It is not in the public interest to cast this further financial burden on the tax payer for the period of a custodial sentence which would be short in any event".
The decision was blasted by her eldest son Callum, father of her only grandchild, whom she has disowned.Effectively she has immunity.
The 24-year-old postman, who lives in east Lancashire, said: "It's ridiculous - she has effectively got away scot free. It doesn't send a very good message to the public. I can't understand how someone can commit such a big fraud then not be sent to prison for it. She won't be bothered by a suspended sentence."
Separately, Laqad Yacoob, a benefits officer for Manchester City Council, has been jailed for 14 months for a £75,518 benefit fraud.
He claimed to hyperventilate if he went outdoors on his own, suffered panic attacks and had severe pain in his back and legs - but was seen break-dancing on his back at a town hall bash held by managers to say "thank you" to staff for their hard work! (Doubtless at our expense)
Yacoob claimed that he, his wife Shaida, who worked as a school dinner lady, son Jameel and daughter Zahida all suffered from various illnesses. They had a new top-of-the-range VW Golf and a new silver BMW i series - courtesy of state mobility payments - and lived in a £190,000 three-bed semi in Stretford, Greater Manchester. He brought her to England after an arranged marriage in Pakistan.
Yacoob and his wife have had their cars confiscated and a Proceeds of Crime Application pursued by the DWP will take place next March to try to recoup the lost money and the family may lose their home.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud who don't receive a custodial sentence should have to do unpaid work.
Benefit thieves should also have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose around £3.5bn a year to benefit fraud.
29 Oct 2009
Another benefit criminal let off
A woman who bought land and property in three countries, even though she was living off benefits, has been given a two-year conditional discharge.
Denise Hanbury, from Wivenhoe, told Chelmsford Crown Court she had remortgaged her home and spent £64,000 on overseas investments in Turkey, Bulgaria and Egypt.
In two of the countries she bought land without property, and it is uncertain whether she will get her deposits back.
She admitted one offence of failing promptly to declare she had savings over the £16,000 limit, knowing it would affect her entitlement to income support between November 27, 2006, and December 18, 2007.
The court was told she had received overpayments totalling £3,519, which she is repaying at the huge rate of £5 per month. She is now receiving working tax credit.
Daniel Howell, defending, said Hanbury wanted to take advantage of the property market in 2006, and intended to buy property abroad to earn rent to get herself off benefits.
Her sentencing had been adjourned for reports, but on Wednesday Recorder John Akast gave her a conditional discharge for two years, saying the offence was committed under exceptional circumstances.
He told the mum-of-four: “Your explanation to manage them in some way, which would in years to come make you free of dependency on the state is a laudable aim, but at the time you were dependent on the state.”
Mr Howell said Hanbury, who was of good character, suffered from chronic fatigue and could only work part-time.
The judge also ordered her to pay £250 court costs at £10 a month.
Oh why not have a crack. In the unlikely event that you get caught you may well get let off.
Denise Hanbury, from Wivenhoe, told Chelmsford Crown Court she had remortgaged her home and spent £64,000 on overseas investments in Turkey, Bulgaria and Egypt.
In two of the countries she bought land without property, and it is uncertain whether she will get her deposits back.
She admitted one offence of failing promptly to declare she had savings over the £16,000 limit, knowing it would affect her entitlement to income support between November 27, 2006, and December 18, 2007.
The court was told she had received overpayments totalling £3,519, which she is repaying at the huge rate of £5 per month. She is now receiving working tax credit.
Daniel Howell, defending, said Hanbury wanted to take advantage of the property market in 2006, and intended to buy property abroad to earn rent to get herself off benefits.
Her sentencing had been adjourned for reports, but on Wednesday Recorder John Akast gave her a conditional discharge for two years, saying the offence was committed under exceptional circumstances.
He told the mum-of-four: “Your explanation to manage them in some way, which would in years to come make you free of dependency on the state is a laudable aim, but at the time you were dependent on the state.”
Mr Howell said Hanbury, who was of good character, suffered from chronic fatigue and could only work part-time.
The judge also ordered her to pay £250 court costs at £10 a month.
Oh why not have a crack. In the unlikely event that you get caught you may well get let off.
Repeat benefit thief gets off lightly
A former Redditch resident was arrested and spent the weekend in custody after failing to appear before magistrates for dishonestly claiming £665 income support, £152 housing benefit and £41 council tax benefit.
Lacey Phipps had originally been due to attend court in January 2008 for failing to declare to the DWP and Redditch Council that she had been working while claiming benefits. Miss Phipps was arrested in Durham on October 23 2009 and was brought before Redditch Magistrates Court, which issued the arrest warrant, on October 26 where she pleaded guilty to the four charges against her.
Miss Phipps had been prosecuted in May 2006 for similar offences and she had defaulted on a compensation order to repay Redditch Council money she had fraudulently claimed at that time.
The magistrates said they had taken Miss Phipps' guilty plea to all offences into account along with the time that had been spent in custody. She was ordered to pay the £887 previously due to the council in compensation as well as £193 owed on the latest offences and a piffling £75 towards the prosecution costs.
The DWP will make arrangements to recover the money owed for the overpaid income support themselves.
Councillor Mike Braley, the council’s portfolio holder for corporate management, said: "It is disappointing that some people choose to commit further offences after being investigated for benefit fraud, but this case shows the consequences that this can have."
Indeed it does - and the consequences are minimal.
Lacey Phipps had originally been due to attend court in January 2008 for failing to declare to the DWP and Redditch Council that she had been working while claiming benefits. Miss Phipps was arrested in Durham on October 23 2009 and was brought before Redditch Magistrates Court, which issued the arrest warrant, on October 26 where she pleaded guilty to the four charges against her.
Miss Phipps had been prosecuted in May 2006 for similar offences and she had defaulted on a compensation order to repay Redditch Council money she had fraudulently claimed at that time.
The magistrates said they had taken Miss Phipps' guilty plea to all offences into account along with the time that had been spent in custody. She was ordered to pay the £887 previously due to the council in compensation as well as £193 owed on the latest offences and a piffling £75 towards the prosecution costs.
The DWP will make arrangements to recover the money owed for the overpaid income support themselves.
Councillor Mike Braley, the council’s portfolio holder for corporate management, said: "It is disappointing that some people choose to commit further offences after being investigated for benefit fraud, but this case shows the consequences that this can have."
Indeed it does - and the consequences are minimal.
Suddenly a meaningful punishment for benefit fraud
A Garlinge woman has been fined £1,000 with £1,000 costs after being found guilty of benefit fraud.
Joanne Devlin was claiming housing benefit, based on the fact that she was a lone parent, but she failed to tell Thanet council that her landlord was also the father of her child, and she was therefore not entitled to claim housing benefit.
As a result, she was overpaid benefit of £2,412.
Magistrates found her guilty of the offence of making a false statement.
Joanne Devlin was claiming housing benefit, based on the fact that she was a lone parent, but she failed to tell Thanet council that her landlord was also the father of her child, and she was therefore not entitled to claim housing benefit.
As a result, she was overpaid benefit of £2,412.
Magistrates found her guilty of the offence of making a false statement.
28 Oct 2009
Benefit thief teacher must pay £188k
A teacher who was jailed after masterminding a complex benefit fraud has been ordered to pay back almost £190,000 or face going back to prison.
Hatam Abbas, a supply maths teacher, was jailed last December for 18 months after a three-year investigation unravelled a tangle of housing benefit scams.
Abbas, from Ladybridge, had made benefit claims for properties across Bolton, lying about who owned them and who lived there.
He used the thousands of pounds he made from the scam, which he committed with his wife, Nada Abbas, and half-brother Nabil Abbas, to pay off mortgages, buy a Mercedes car and refurbish a house.
Hatam Abbas, who came to England from Iraq in 1990, appeared to be an honest, hardworking man and even founded an Arabic Saturday school in Bolton.
But yesterday, at Bolton Crown Court during a proceeds of crime hearing, a confiscation order was made by Recorder Mark Gosnell, requiring him to pay £80,091.
The court was told he plans to raise the money from the sale of property and he was given six months to pay or be sent back to prison for 18 months.
In addition, he has been given 12 months to pay Bolton Council £70,091 in compensation and a further £38,427 in legal costs.
A council spokesman said: “We are extremely pleased with Mr Abbas having to pay the total amount of £188,609, which will mean Mr Abbas repaying the money he defrauded".
Hatam Abbas, a supply maths teacher, was jailed last December for 18 months after a three-year investigation unravelled a tangle of housing benefit scams.
Abbas, from Ladybridge, had made benefit claims for properties across Bolton, lying about who owned them and who lived there.
He used the thousands of pounds he made from the scam, which he committed with his wife, Nada Abbas, and half-brother Nabil Abbas, to pay off mortgages, buy a Mercedes car and refurbish a house.
Hatam Abbas, who came to England from Iraq in 1990, appeared to be an honest, hardworking man and even founded an Arabic Saturday school in Bolton.
But yesterday, at Bolton Crown Court during a proceeds of crime hearing, a confiscation order was made by Recorder Mark Gosnell, requiring him to pay £80,091.
The court was told he plans to raise the money from the sale of property and he was given six months to pay or be sent back to prison for 18 months.
In addition, he has been given 12 months to pay Bolton Council £70,091 in compensation and a further £38,427 in legal costs.
A council spokesman said: “We are extremely pleased with Mr Abbas having to pay the total amount of £188,609, which will mean Mr Abbas repaying the money he defrauded".
27 Oct 2009
Another £26k benefit thief not jailed
A former Warrington resident was sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid work after he fraudulently claimed £26,323 in benefits.
Khandokar Ali, from Hyde, was investigated over undeclared capital after he bought a house in Liverpool in October 2002, and another in Fearnhead in January 2005.
During this time the father-of-two claimed to live elsewhere and claimed jobseekers allowance for himself and his wife and children. He also claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit but did not declare that he owned the other properties on several forms.
Ali was interviewed under caution and admitted he owned the Liverpool property and said he purchased it as an investment, rented it out and that the rental income covered his mortgage.
He was due to appear at Warrington Crown Court on January 12 but he fled to Bangladesh. A warrant was issued for his arrest and when he returned to the UK in September he was intercepted at the airport and appeared in court the next day. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Friday.
Ali has repaid all of the overpayment and he was also ordered to pay £250 in court costs over the next 28 days.
Judge Stephen Clarke said: “There came a time when you knew that what you were doing was fraudulent.
“You had a business and capital and defrauded the tax payer who had to carry the weight of this offence. It is an offence against society and fellow workers and I hope you appreciate this.”
Khandokar Ali, from Hyde, was investigated over undeclared capital after he bought a house in Liverpool in October 2002, and another in Fearnhead in January 2005.
During this time the father-of-two claimed to live elsewhere and claimed jobseekers allowance for himself and his wife and children. He also claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit but did not declare that he owned the other properties on several forms.
Ali was interviewed under caution and admitted he owned the Liverpool property and said he purchased it as an investment, rented it out and that the rental income covered his mortgage.
He was due to appear at Warrington Crown Court on January 12 but he fled to Bangladesh. A warrant was issued for his arrest and when he returned to the UK in September he was intercepted at the airport and appeared in court the next day. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Friday.
Ali has repaid all of the overpayment and he was also ordered to pay £250 in court costs over the next 28 days.
Judge Stephen Clarke said: “There came a time when you knew that what you were doing was fraudulent.
“You had a business and capital and defrauded the tax payer who had to carry the weight of this offence. It is an offence against society and fellow workers and I hope you appreciate this.”
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose around £3.5bn a year to benefit fraud.
No jail for £26k benefit thief
Joanne Adie from Ramsgate had been receiving Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support on the basis that she was a single person. In her applications for benefit, she failed to declare that her husband had actually been living with her for three years.
She denied that her husband was living with her. Her husband also denied living with Adie and said he spent time at his mother's. He was interviewed for a second time, once further enquiries had been made, and he admitted that he had actually been living with his wife for three years.
As a result of this, Adie was overpaid a total of £26,413.
She pleaded guilty and was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work and a 12 month supervision order.
Judge Van Der Bijl said: "The punishment has to be a deterrent to others. This is a serious matter and cannot just be washed away. The taxpayers, that's me, builders and plumbers, have to pay for this."
She denied that her husband was living with her. Her husband also denied living with Adie and said he spent time at his mother's. He was interviewed for a second time, once further enquiries had been made, and he admitted that he had actually been living with his wife for three years.
As a result of this, Adie was overpaid a total of £26,413.
She pleaded guilty and was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work and a 12 month supervision order.
Judge Van Der Bijl said: "The punishment has to be a deterrent to others. This is a serious matter and cannot just be washed away. The taxpayers, that's me, builders and plumbers, have to pay for this."
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Taxpayers lose around £3.5bn a year to benefit fraud.
Somerset benefit thief hid £32k savings
A Merriott man, who has not been named for medical reasons, has admitted failing to declare two building society accounts containing over £32,000 while claiming over £13,000 in benefits.
He was given a nine-month community punishment order and a curfew for six months between the hours of 8pm to 6am, and told he must repay the full overpayment as well as £200 costs to the district council.
Magistrates considered a prison sentence due to the size of his savings and the amount wrongfully claimed, but in view of the guilty plea and (unstated) personal circumstances opted against it.
He was given a nine-month community punishment order and a curfew for six months between the hours of 8pm to 6am, and told he must repay the full overpayment as well as £200 costs to the district council.
Magistrates considered a prison sentence due to the size of his savings and the amount wrongfully claimed, but in view of the guilty plea and (unstated) personal circumstances opted against it.
26 Oct 2009
Light sentences for Cambridgeshire benefit frauds
A benefit fraudster has been busted after investigators found her wedding plans on a networking website.
Kelly Westgate posted details of her marriage on the Friends Reunited site. But she was overpaid £3,243 of housing and council tax benefits after failing to inform South Cambridgeshire district council she had married and was living with her husband.
In mitigation, the court was told that she had recently separated from him and was now unemployed. She was sentenced to a six-week curfew order requiring her to wear an electronic tag and stay in her home from 8.30pm - 7am each day. The overpaid benefit is also being recovered.
A separate case heard on the same day saw Olga Serstena plead guilty to making three dishonest declarations to obtain £3,579 in housing and council tax benefits. In her application she claimed that she was single, when she was actually living with her husband.
Magistrates sentenced her to a two-month curfew order requiring her to be tagged and stay in her home between 7pm - 7am for two months. They also ordered her to pay £250 towards the costs of the prosecution, and to refund the overpaid cash.
Kelly Westgate posted details of her marriage on the Friends Reunited site. But she was overpaid £3,243 of housing and council tax benefits after failing to inform South Cambridgeshire district council she had married and was living with her husband.
In mitigation, the court was told that she had recently separated from him and was now unemployed. She was sentenced to a six-week curfew order requiring her to wear an electronic tag and stay in her home from 8.30pm - 7am each day. The overpaid benefit is also being recovered.
A separate case heard on the same day saw Olga Serstena plead guilty to making three dishonest declarations to obtain £3,579 in housing and council tax benefits. In her application she claimed that she was single, when she was actually living with her husband.
Magistrates sentenced her to a two-month curfew order requiring her to be tagged and stay in her home between 7pm - 7am for two months. They also ordered her to pay £250 towards the costs of the prosecution, and to refund the overpaid cash.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud who don't receive a custodial sentence should have to do unpaid work.
Benefit thieves should also have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose around £3.5bn a year to benefit fraud.
Right sentence for deliberate benefit fraud
A mother of three from Mount Wise has been jailed after defrauding the taxpayer of more than £57,000.
Michelle Joce claimed income support and received housing and council tax benefit amounting to £200 a week over four and a half years – despite the fact that her lover had moved in with her.
She wept in the dock and cried out: "Mum! My kids!" as she was led to the cells in handcuffs to begin a six-month sentence.
Andrew Maitland, prosecuting, told Plymouth Crown Court that Joce, 34, had applied for income support in October 1997 and her case was reviewed in January 2003.
In December that year, her new partner, Darren Lyon, moved into the family home. He was in full-time work, and Joce should have told the DWP. But she continued to claim all three benefits until she was caught in July last year.
Since December 2003 when Mr Lyon moved in, she had falsely claimed £40,669 in income support, £13,979 in housing benefit and £2,815 in council tax benefit, a total of £57,465. Had she stopped claiming income support, she could have legitimately claimed child tax credit, so the net benefit of her fraud was £30,350.
He added that so far she had repaid £490 in income support and £145 in the other benefits, but at this rate she would be very old by the time it was repaid.
Kelly Scrivener, defending, said the claim had started as a genuine one, but Joce had failed to inform the DWP of her change in circumstances. She said Joce and Mr Lyon had not led a life of luxury, had never owned a car and not taken foreign holidays or bought expensive clothes. She currently worked helping special needs children at a local school in their lunch break. She was deeply ashamed and her relationship with Mr Lyon had broken down due to the stress of the court case.
If she was jailed, her mother – who underwent a triple heart bypass in 2000 – would have trouble helping to look after the children, the oldest 15.
Judge Francis Gilbert QC told Joce that after paying her rent, she had enjoyed an income of £150 a week for 4.5 years at the taxpayers' expense.
Michelle Joce claimed income support and received housing and council tax benefit amounting to £200 a week over four and a half years – despite the fact that her lover had moved in with her.
She wept in the dock and cried out: "Mum! My kids!" as she was led to the cells in handcuffs to begin a six-month sentence.
Andrew Maitland, prosecuting, told Plymouth Crown Court that Joce, 34, had applied for income support in October 1997 and her case was reviewed in January 2003.
In December that year, her new partner, Darren Lyon, moved into the family home. He was in full-time work, and Joce should have told the DWP. But she continued to claim all three benefits until she was caught in July last year.
Since December 2003 when Mr Lyon moved in, she had falsely claimed £40,669 in income support, £13,979 in housing benefit and £2,815 in council tax benefit, a total of £57,465. Had she stopped claiming income support, she could have legitimately claimed child tax credit, so the net benefit of her fraud was £30,350.
He added that so far she had repaid £490 in income support and £145 in the other benefits, but at this rate she would be very old by the time it was repaid.
Kelly Scrivener, defending, said the claim had started as a genuine one, but Joce had failed to inform the DWP of her change in circumstances. She said Joce and Mr Lyon had not led a life of luxury, had never owned a car and not taken foreign holidays or bought expensive clothes. She currently worked helping special needs children at a local school in their lunch break. She was deeply ashamed and her relationship with Mr Lyon had broken down due to the stress of the court case.
If she was jailed, her mother – who underwent a triple heart bypass in 2000 – would have trouble helping to look after the children, the oldest 15.
Judge Francis Gilbert QC told Joce that after paying her rent, she had enjoyed an income of £150 a week for 4.5 years at the taxpayers' expense.
It is impossible to avoid an immediate custodial sentence after repeated dishonesty year after year.
This will be hard on your kids but it's your own fault.
25 Oct 2009
Disabled blue badge fraud in Enfield
Nahide Mustafe, Ali Memet, and Siobhan O’Shea have been ordered to pay fines and costs totaling £1,455.
Mrs Mustafa pleaded guilty to using her husband’s badge while he was not present.
Ms Mehmet pleaded guilty by letter to using her mother’s badge.
Mrs O’Shea used her deceased father’s badge, having altered the expiry date.
Mr Bell, chairman of the bench, said: “The court takes a very dim view of people who misuse disabled person’s badges.
"These are particularly serious offences that not only deprive the council of revenue, but also deprive disabled people of the concessions they are entitled to.”
The trio were caught by the new fraud-busting team, the Blue Badge Fraud Investigators, created by the council in June.
Mrs Mustafa pleaded guilty to using her husband’s badge while he was not present.
Ms Mehmet pleaded guilty by letter to using her mother’s badge.
Mrs O’Shea used her deceased father’s badge, having altered the expiry date.
Mr Bell, chairman of the bench, said: “The court takes a very dim view of people who misuse disabled person’s badges.
"These are particularly serious offences that not only deprive the council of revenue, but also deprive disabled people of the concessions they are entitled to.”
The trio were caught by the new fraud-busting team, the Blue Badge Fraud Investigators, created by the council in June.
24 Oct 2009
Benefit thief worked for DWP
A benefits fraud investigator and his wife are facing jail for a £31,000 handouts swindle, reports the Daily Mail.
Mohammed Aslam helped Afshan Ishaq make a string of benefit claims as she pretended to be a hard-up single parent with as little as £20 in the bank.
But London's Harrow Crown Court heard that in reality they were living together, and apart from working as a teacher she was enjoying the rent from one of their properties.
Despite the pair having wed the previous year under Islamic tradition, her DWP partner pretended he and the mother-of-two were strangers. That allowed him to formally interview her and halt the inquiry.
They originally denied any wrongdoing. But a month into their trial, and while one of them was still in the witness box, they changed some of their pleas.
Judge Graham Arran told the couple they could remain on bail until November 2 while pre-sentence reports were prepared.
How they did it
Mohammed Aslam helped Afshan Ishaq make a string of benefit claims as she pretended to be a hard-up single parent with as little as £20 in the bank.
But London's Harrow Crown Court heard that in reality they were living together, and apart from working as a teacher she was enjoying the rent from one of their properties.
Despite the pair having wed the previous year under Islamic tradition, her DWP partner pretended he and the mother-of-two were strangers. That allowed him to formally interview her and halt the inquiry.
They originally denied any wrongdoing. But a month into their trial, and while one of them was still in the witness box, they changed some of their pleas.
Judge Graham Arran told the couple they could remain on bail until November 2 while pre-sentence reports were prepared.
How they did it
23 Oct 2009
£40k benefit thief let off
A woman who claimed she was too ill to work was paid £40,375 in benefits while holding down three jobs.
Mariam Mitchell, 61, had two cleaning jobs and another as a supervisor. Her employers all praised her for her punctuality and hard work – as well as for never taking a day off sick.
But from February 2001 until September 2006 she cheated the state out of income support, incapacity benefit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and disability living allowance, Gloucester Crown Court heard.
"She completed forms saying she was not working and she was incapable of work because of depression and pains in her hands and wrist which prevented her cooking," said prosecutor Stephen Brunton. It seems it was easy.
She admitted making false representations to obtain benefits from the DWP by saying she was not working.
After hearing that Jamaican-born Mitchell had been pressurised to commit the offences by relatives after she fell into debt after paying for her husband's funeral, Judge Michael Harington allowed her to walk free from court. Tearful Mrs Mitchell was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months. The funeral cost £40,000? Oh please.
Judge Harington said he accepted her behaviour had been out of character after a life free of crime and he was satisfied she had been put under 'considerable pressure' by others to make the false claims.
Joe Maloney, defending, told the court she had been unable to obtain a satisfactory death certificate from Jamaica and that had meant she received no widow's pension in the UK, even though both she and her husband were British citizens.
"She has got herself into a mess which has got worse and worse and worse," he said.
Mariam Mitchell, 61, had two cleaning jobs and another as a supervisor. Her employers all praised her for her punctuality and hard work – as well as for never taking a day off sick.
But from February 2001 until September 2006 she cheated the state out of income support, incapacity benefit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and disability living allowance, Gloucester Crown Court heard.
"She completed forms saying she was not working and she was incapable of work because of depression and pains in her hands and wrist which prevented her cooking," said prosecutor Stephen Brunton. It seems it was easy.
She admitted making false representations to obtain benefits from the DWP by saying she was not working.
After hearing that Jamaican-born Mitchell had been pressurised to commit the offences by relatives after she fell into debt after paying for her husband's funeral, Judge Michael Harington allowed her to walk free from court. Tearful Mrs Mitchell was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months. The funeral cost £40,000? Oh please.
Judge Harington said he accepted her behaviour had been out of character after a life free of crime and he was satisfied she had been put under 'considerable pressure' by others to make the false claims.
Joe Maloney, defending, told the court she had been unable to obtain a satisfactory death certificate from Jamaica and that had meant she received no widow's pension in the UK, even though both she and her husband were British citizens.
"She has got herself into a mess which has got worse and worse and worse," he said.
£146k benefits thief gets more time to pay
A businessman who fraudulently claimed thousands of pounds in benefits has been given more time to repay the state, reports the Yorkshire Post.
Brian Sutcliffe lives in a house valued at up to £500,000 but in 12 months failed to pay a penny of the £188,000 confiscation order imposed by a judge last year. He now has until November 26 to make "real progress" in realising his assets and settling the confiscation order.
Sutcliffe, 76, appeared before magistrates in Leeds for an enforcement hearing brought by the DWP. The court was told Sutcliffe had handed over £20,000 in Premium Bonds that morning.
Craig Hassall, prosecuting, said Sutcliffe had considerable assets, including his house at Hebden Bridge, vehicles worth £10,000, land worth £25,000, a £75,000 property in France and Premium Bonds. He said Sutcliffe had not paid any money until "about 10 minutes" before the hearing .
Sutcliffe told the court that he had put his house on the market but was not prepared to sell it for less than what he thought it worth.
Mr Hassall accused Sutcliffe of making no effort to pay back the money and of overpricing his house "which may be viewed as a cynical attempt to make it look like attempts were being made to pay the confiscation order".
Magistrates adjourned the case and warned Sutcliffe that he could face two years in jail. In February last year he was jailed for three years for dishonestly claiming £146,000 in benefits over 11 years.
Brian Sutcliffe lives in a house valued at up to £500,000 but in 12 months failed to pay a penny of the £188,000 confiscation order imposed by a judge last year. He now has until November 26 to make "real progress" in realising his assets and settling the confiscation order.
Sutcliffe, 76, appeared before magistrates in Leeds for an enforcement hearing brought by the DWP. The court was told Sutcliffe had handed over £20,000 in Premium Bonds that morning.
Craig Hassall, prosecuting, said Sutcliffe had considerable assets, including his house at Hebden Bridge, vehicles worth £10,000, land worth £25,000, a £75,000 property in France and Premium Bonds. He said Sutcliffe had not paid any money until "about 10 minutes" before the hearing .
Sutcliffe told the court that he had put his house on the market but was not prepared to sell it for less than what he thought it worth.
Mr Hassall accused Sutcliffe of making no effort to pay back the money and of overpricing his house "which may be viewed as a cynical attempt to make it look like attempts were being made to pay the confiscation order".
Magistrates adjourned the case and warned Sutcliffe that he could face two years in jail. In February last year he was jailed for three years for dishonestly claiming £146,000 in benefits over 11 years.
22 Oct 2009
No jail for £28k benefit thief
A mother-of-three who cheated the benefits system out of almost £29,000 has escaped a jail sentence. Jennifer Johnson, from Hindley, admitted false accounting involving income support, housing benefit and council tax.
A judge ordered her to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and placed her under supervision for 18 months. He warned her that if she breaches the orders she would go to jail.
A judge ordered her to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and placed her under supervision for 18 months. He warned her that if she breaches the orders she would go to jail.
No jail for £24k benefit fraud
Pensioner Matthew Vincent wrongly received £12,219 for housing benefit and council tax between October 2005 and November 2007.
He also obtained Job Seekers Allowance amounting to £12,219 between April and October in 2003 and July 2004 and February 2009.
But he was found to have more than £25,000 savings after selling his home for £37,000 in 2001.
Read his excuses here.
Judge David Hale said: “You deliberately ignored the fact you had savings, explaining you were saving it for somebody else. You knew all along that wasn’t true. You have taken £24,500 of public money. It was a claim that was dishonest from the outset.”
Vincent, now of Nel Pan Lane, Leigh, received a 14 week jail sentenced suspended for two years for each count to run concurrent. He will have to complete 140 hours of unpaid work.
He also obtained Job Seekers Allowance amounting to £12,219 between April and October in 2003 and July 2004 and February 2009.
But he was found to have more than £25,000 savings after selling his home for £37,000 in 2001.
Read his excuses here.
Judge David Hale said: “You deliberately ignored the fact you had savings, explaining you were saving it for somebody else. You knew all along that wasn’t true. You have taken £24,500 of public money. It was a claim that was dishonest from the outset.”
Vincent, now of Nel Pan Lane, Leigh, received a 14 week jail sentenced suspended for two years for each count to run concurrent. He will have to complete 140 hours of unpaid work.
21 Oct 2009
Living off us
Paul Mason is not committing benefit fraud (look at the photographs) but our money is being spent on looking after this man mountain, who seemingly refuses to take any responsibility for himself - indeed, he said he wanted to be the world's fattest man. He cost his mother her house, he cost his siblings their inheritance, his carers cost us £100,000 a year - seven NHS carers, working three eight-hour shifts, cook his food and clean up after him.
Oh, and he gets £67.50 per week in incapacity benefit and a housing payout to cover his rent. An "obesity expert" says a "phenomenal amount" has been spent on Paul over the past seven years:
People only tolerate this spending because it emerges effortlessly out of the apparently bottomless pit of the national NHS budget. If he were funded locally, one suspects it would be a different story. Meanwhile, that's over £100,000 a year that can't be spent on other, more worthy, causes.
Oh, and he gets £67.50 per week in incapacity benefit and a housing payout to cover his rent. An "obesity expert" says a "phenomenal amount" has been spent on Paul over the past seven years:
If you add up all the GP visits, hospital visits, visits from carers and nurses, transport costs, disability living allowance, home adaptation and home help from social services it comes to £1million.At some point he has to make an effort or society has to say enough is enough. The Sun reports:
Paul featured in a TV documentary about obesity in 2006. In the show, made by Raw Television and aired on More 4, he argued it was his "human right" to be housed and given handouts.It isn't.
People only tolerate this spending because it emerges effortlessly out of the apparently bottomless pit of the national NHS budget. If he were funded locally, one suspects it would be a different story. Meanwhile, that's over £100,000 a year that can't be spent on other, more worthy, causes.
Builder was incapacity benefit cheat
Paul Russell fraudulently claimed incapacity benefit of £23,000 over six years from 2001, saying he could not work because of his bad back. He also drew council tax and housing benefits.
The first time inspectors visited Russell he insisted on being interviewed in bed, claiming he was in so much pain he could not get up. But he was actually running a building firm making between £44,000 and £59,000 a year.
The court heard that he had savings of more than £3,000 when he started claiming in 2001, already making him ineligible for full incapacity benefit. By 2003 he had enough money to buy his council house in Sheffield, for £18,500, and in 2006 secured a mortgage to buy a second house in Rotherham for £135,000. He also managed to buy a £28,000 Porsche in 2005.
In 2007 Russell remortgaged his first house for £73,500, in order to pay off the mortgage on his Rotherham property. Russell now rents out the Sheffield house.
Judge Goldsack sentenced him to 14 months in jail and set confiscation proceedings for January 2010.
The first time inspectors visited Russell he insisted on being interviewed in bed, claiming he was in so much pain he could not get up. But he was actually running a building firm making between £44,000 and £59,000 a year.
The court heard that he had savings of more than £3,000 when he started claiming in 2001, already making him ineligible for full incapacity benefit. By 2003 he had enough money to buy his council house in Sheffield, for £18,500, and in 2006 secured a mortgage to buy a second house in Rotherham for £135,000. He also managed to buy a £28,000 Porsche in 2005.
In 2007 Russell remortgaged his first house for £73,500, in order to pay off the mortgage on his Rotherham property. Russell now rents out the Sheffield house.
Judge Goldsack sentenced him to 14 months in jail and set confiscation proceedings for January 2010.
20 Oct 2009
Benefit thieves in court
A PCSO falsely claimed £881 in housing benefit and was caught through data matching under the NFI. He was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work in the community and repay the money with £200 costs.
And in Axminster Susan Matthews didn't declare a divorce settlement of £26,125 and falsely claimed over £12,000 in benefits. She had already repaid half. She was given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for one year, ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £300 in costs.
More at the links.
And in Axminster Susan Matthews didn't declare a divorce settlement of £26,125 and falsely claimed over £12,000 in benefits. She had already repaid half. She was given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for one year, ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £300 in costs.
More at the links.
Blue badge fraud in London
Alan Humphrey, a bus driver, has admitted using his dead mother-in-law's blue badge to park near Putney bus garage.
He admitted four counts of fraud and was sentenced to 40 hours unpaid community service and also ordered to pay £250 costs. Not enough.
He was one of 14 fit and able-bodied people taken to court by Wandsworth Council that day for abusing the blue badge system.
More
He admitted four counts of fraud and was sentenced to 40 hours unpaid community service and also ordered to pay £250 costs. Not enough.
He was one of 14 fit and able-bodied people taken to court by Wandsworth Council that day for abusing the blue badge system.
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Council warns on single person discount fraud
More than 30,000 households in the district and Vale of White Horse district claiming to be occupied by a single person will be checked using data matching technology in the National Fraud Initiative to make sure they are entitled to the 25% discount they receive on their council tax.
Anyone who is claiming the discount when they are not entitled to it will not be prosecuted if they own up before the end of the year.
However, anyone who doesn’t come clean and is found to be claiming incorrectly could be prosecuted for theft and fined up to £1,000 as well as being given a backdated council tax bill. The crackdown will be the biggest council tax anti-fraud initiative in the district since the introduction of the tax in 1993.
Councillor Rodney Mann said: “Anyone who thinks they may be incorrectly claiming a discount should come forward now. We will calculate their correct amount and agree a repayment plan with them. By doing this, they will avoid being prosecuted or fined.”
Anyone who is claiming the discount when they are not entitled to it will not be prosecuted if they own up before the end of the year.
However, anyone who doesn’t come clean and is found to be claiming incorrectly could be prosecuted for theft and fined up to £1,000 as well as being given a backdated council tax bill. The crackdown will be the biggest council tax anti-fraud initiative in the district since the introduction of the tax in 1993.
Councillor Rodney Mann said: “Anyone who thinks they may be incorrectly claiming a discount should come forward now. We will calculate their correct amount and agree a repayment plan with them. By doing this, they will avoid being prosecuted or fined.”
18 Oct 2009
Evil mother claimed £130k benefits
An 'evil and cruel' mother caused her young son to undergo needless surgery and treatment at three hospitals during a six-year charade that he was seriously ill.
The woman conned the Royal Family and celebrities as she claimed £130,000 in benefits to spend on holidays and home improvements, a court heard.
Her son, who is now eight, was confined to a wheelchair in public and eventually hooked up to a drip.
More
The woman conned the Royal Family and celebrities as she claimed £130,000 in benefits to spend on holidays and home improvements, a court heard.
Her son, who is now eight, was confined to a wheelchair in public and eventually hooked up to a drip.
More
17 Oct 2009
Apprentice candidate loses benefit fraud appeal
Last year, Tre Azam, from Essex, was found guilty of fraudulent housing benefit and council tax statements worth £8,686. He was sentenced to 80 hours’ community service.
Although his lawyers argued a deadline for the prosecution had been ‘manipulated’, yesterday two High Court judges ruled there was no possibility of an abuse of process.
Mr Azam had been found guilty of having undeclared income, an undeclared change in circumstances and not declaring a bank account.
While declaring benefits, he had arranged for his father to pay bills for car insurance, his mobile phone and groceries. Mr Azam had argued he needed the money from the benefits to support his family following the collapse of his family business.
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Although his lawyers argued a deadline for the prosecution had been ‘manipulated’, yesterday two High Court judges ruled there was no possibility of an abuse of process.
Mr Azam had been found guilty of having undeclared income, an undeclared change in circumstances and not declaring a bank account.
While declaring benefits, he had arranged for his father to pay bills for car insurance, his mobile phone and groceries. Mr Azam had argued he needed the money from the benefits to support his family following the collapse of his family business.
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Benefit thief took over £2k
Tyrone Jeffries, from Rochester, took £2,021 in Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) while also working as a barman in social clubs across the towns.
The court heard how the book keeper claimed £57 in weekly JSA handouts between August 2007 and July of this year. Investigations found he was working at the same time for a total of 33 weeks during this period.
Jeffries said he was left with no choice but to keep claiming:
“It’s very sad that you will now have a criminal record.
“We order you to carry out 60 hours unpaid work and pay back the full £2,021 at a rate of £81 per month and also pay £100 costs.”
The court heard how the book keeper claimed £57 in weekly JSA handouts between August 2007 and July of this year. Investigations found he was working at the same time for a total of 33 weeks during this period.
Jeffries said he was left with no choice but to keep claiming:
I was under considerable pressure. I had unpaid council tax payments, for which I was being taken to court and had bailiffs chasing me. I also had huge rent arrears which I had accumulated when work was erratic.Sentencing, Chairman of the Bench Gerald Butler said: “We all find ourselves under intolerable pressures from time to time, it does not mean we have an open invitation to commit benefit fraud.
My landlady had threatened me with eviction.
The £57 JSA was not enough.
I went to the Citizens Advice Bureau who sent me to Medway Housing but they didn’t want to know. Then I ended up at Shelter and they pleaded with my landlady to let me stay in my house.
I could have very easily ended up on the streets.
Society does not care for people in my situation.
It was an unfortunate period of my life and I regret it. Since October 2008 I’ve had a full time job. Those 18 months were purgatory.
I’m not a law-breaker.
“It’s very sad that you will now have a criminal record.
“We order you to carry out 60 hours unpaid work and pay back the full £2,021 at a rate of £81 per month and also pay £100 costs.”
Cross-border benefit fraud in Ireland
Efforts by the Irish government to expose cross border fraud have exposed a major problem within the northern welfare system.
Border counties, such as Donegal, have been used as a springboard by fraudsters on both sides of the border who use the close geographical proximity of the areas to their benefit.
Cross-border benefit fraudsters have illegally pocketed almost £700,000 from the North's welfare system in the past three years, according to figures obtained by senior Stormont officials.
Forty-eight people have been caught falsely claiming off the Social Security Agency since 2006, according to Stormont records. They have taken an average of £14,393 (€17,116) each.
Scams include people from the North requesting jobseekers' allowance despite working in the Republic, and southern-based criminals adopting false northern identities to make claims over the border.
The statistics were outlined just weeks after the Irish Government revealed the extent of its own problem with cross-border fraud. The Republic's Department of Social and Family Affairs said it had thwarted €300,000 worth of illegitimate claims in the first six months of this year alone.
The North's figures were obtained by the chair of Stormont's Social Development committee, Simon Hamilton, through an Assembly question. He said the real scale of the problem was undoubtedly much greater.
Border counties, such as Donegal, have been used as a springboard by fraudsters on both sides of the border who use the close geographical proximity of the areas to their benefit.
Cross-border benefit fraudsters have illegally pocketed almost £700,000 from the North's welfare system in the past three years, according to figures obtained by senior Stormont officials.
Forty-eight people have been caught falsely claiming off the Social Security Agency since 2006, according to Stormont records. They have taken an average of £14,393 (€17,116) each.
Scams include people from the North requesting jobseekers' allowance despite working in the Republic, and southern-based criminals adopting false northern identities to make claims over the border.
The statistics were outlined just weeks after the Irish Government revealed the extent of its own problem with cross-border fraud. The Republic's Department of Social and Family Affairs said it had thwarted €300,000 worth of illegitimate claims in the first six months of this year alone.
The North's figures were obtained by the chair of Stormont's Social Development committee, Simon Hamilton, through an Assembly question. He said the real scale of the problem was undoubtedly much greater.
16 Oct 2009
Light sentences in northern Ireland
A man has been convicted at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court of claiming benefits he was not entitled to. He claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £3,003 while failing to disclose he had capital. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge. He is required to repay the money he wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
A man has been convicted at Craigavon Magistrates' Court of claiming benefits he was not entitled to. He failed to declare capital while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £10,580. He was given a four month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £28 court costs. He was also ordered to repay outstanding benefits wrongfully obtained through a compensation order for £8,817.
A Belfast man was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £46 court costs for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £18,250. And a Belfast woman was given 12 month conditional discharge for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £12,999. She had repaid the money wrongfully obtained.
A man has been convicted at Craigavon Magistrates' Court of claiming benefits he was not entitled to. He failed to declare capital while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £10,580. He was given a four month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £28 court costs. He was also ordered to repay outstanding benefits wrongfully obtained through a compensation order for £8,817.
A Belfast man was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £46 court costs for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £18,250. And a Belfast woman was given 12 month conditional discharge for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £12,999. She had repaid the money wrongfully obtained.
15 Oct 2009
2 in 3 applying for new sickness benefit fail
More than two-thirds of applicants for the new sickness-related benefit are failing in their claims, suggesting many of the 2.6 million existing incapacity benefit claimants will be forced on to a lower level of benefit when they are assessed over the next two to three years, reports The Guardian.
36% of claimants for the new employment and support allowance (ESA) have been judged capable of work, and a further third of the initial claimants dropped out before completing the claim.
So what does this mean for benefit fraud? Incapacity benefit has been running at £6.6bn a year. The government has carefully failed to update its sampling since Apr 00 - Mar 01, when it estimated incapacity benefit fraud at a ridiculous 0.1%, or £10m.
This ludicrous number formed part of the government's total of £860m for benefit fraud.
If even just one third were taken off incapacity benefit, that alone would represent benefit payments of £2.2bn a year. Add the rest of the benefit fraud and we would be around the £3.5bn mark.
And remember: that cautious one third rate is half of the failure rate for the new sickness benefit.
36% of claimants for the new employment and support allowance (ESA) have been judged capable of work, and a further third of the initial claimants dropped out before completing the claim.
So what does this mean for benefit fraud? Incapacity benefit has been running at £6.6bn a year. The government has carefully failed to update its sampling since Apr 00 - Mar 01, when it estimated incapacity benefit fraud at a ridiculous 0.1%, or £10m.
This ludicrous number formed part of the government's total of £860m for benefit fraud.
If even just one third were taken off incapacity benefit, that alone would represent benefit payments of £2.2bn a year. Add the rest of the benefit fraud and we would be around the £3.5bn mark.
And remember: that cautious one third rate is half of the failure rate for the new sickness benefit.
14 Oct 2009
£23k benefits thief caught on film
A woman paid £23,000 in benefits for being "too weak to work" was filmed running in a charity race, the DWP said.
Susan Hutchinson, 56, said she had asthma and joint pain but fraud investigators saw her smiling as she ran the 5km Race for Life in Cardiff. The court also heard she was working as full-time PA to a wealthy businessman.
Hutchinson, of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, admitted six fraud and theft charges and will be sentenced later.
Susan Hutchinson, 56, said she had asthma and joint pain but fraud investigators saw her smiling as she ran the 5km Race for Life in Cardiff. The court also heard she was working as full-time PA to a wealthy businessman.
Hutchinson, of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, admitted six fraud and theft charges and will be sentenced later.
Yet another exception for a criminal mother
Lucy Smalley failed to declare she was living with her now ex-partner, who was in employment, between January 2003 and September 2007. Leicester Crown Court was told she would have been legitimately entitled to a lesser amount of benefit if she had told the truth, but no figure was given on what she could have claimed.
Smalley admitted benefit fraud in relation to a total of £29,700 in false claims for income support, housing and council tax benefit.
When questioned, Smalley claimed her former partner had kept her short of money and she had spent the cash on every day essentials for her and her then partner's two children. She has since had a third child, now eight months old, from a subsequent relationship, but does not live with the child's father.
She was sentenced to a two-year community order with 12 months of supervision, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Sylvia De Bertodano said:
Smalley admitted benefit fraud in relation to a total of £29,700 in false claims for income support, housing and council tax benefit.
When questioned, Smalley claimed her former partner had kept her short of money and she had spent the cash on every day essentials for her and her then partner's two children. She has since had a third child, now eight months old, from a subsequent relationship, but does not live with the child's father.
She was sentenced to a two-year community order with 12 months of supervision, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Sylvia De Bertodano said:
You were making false benefit claims for four-and-a-half years and although it sounds like a lot of money (in total) you got only small amounts each week.Let's keep subsidising her.
People who make fraudulent claims like this place a huge burden on the state.
The most usual disposal would be a sentence of immediate imprisonment.
However, I am going to make an exception in your case for a number of reasons.
It's clear from what I've read and been told that you were in a relationship that can properly be described as abusive. You've also had to wait a very long time with this case hanging over your head.
13 Oct 2009
Piffling fine for Dudley benefit thief
Dudley Council is demanding that a Halesowen benefit cheat repays nearly £7,000 he swindled over a two year period.
William Pritchard falsely claimed housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support between March 2006 and September 2008. He didn’t declare to Dudley Council and the DWP that his partner had started work, and carried on collecting benefits.
When he was brought before Halesowen Magistrates Court last month he was handed a piffling £300 fine and was ordered to pay £100 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
However, as well as his fines Dudley Council are ‘seeking to recover all of the overpaid benefit’.
William Pritchard falsely claimed housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support between March 2006 and September 2008. He didn’t declare to Dudley Council and the DWP that his partner had started work, and carried on collecting benefits.
When he was brought before Halesowen Magistrates Court last month he was handed a piffling £300 fine and was ordered to pay £100 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
However, as well as his fines Dudley Council are ‘seeking to recover all of the overpaid benefit’.
The Sun on incapacity benefit
The Sun is running a series on poor areas.
With his muscular physique, Steven Curtis appears the typical strapping scrum-half from the Valleys.
But for the last seven years - while Britain's economy boomed before going bust - the dad-of-two has been signed off sick.
At first, he insists, it was down to his bad back. Now Steven says he's off work because of problems with cannabis abuse.
The dad, who claims £195 a fortnight Incapacity Benefit plus a subsidised home, revealed: "I'd love to get a job but to live tidy you'd have to earn £250 to £300 a week."
Pausing with one-year-old daughter Lexie for a cigarette outside a boarded-up pound shop in nearby Ferndale, he says: "Since the mine closed here most people are on the sick."
Steven, who left school at 15, says he and his partner - also on sickness benefits - cannot afford to go out or have a holiday.
But despite plummeting Labour ratings PM Gordon Brown is still likely to get Steven's vote.
His logic is that: "Labour are the ones who will keep us on benefits."
An incredible 2.6million people - seven per cent of the working-age population - claim Incapacity Benefit. With associated housing and council tax handouts, this costs the UK taxpayer £16BILLION a year.
Around 50,000 claim Incapacity Benefit because of alcoholism, 2,000 due to obesity, 8,100 for "dizziness and giddiness", 1,890 for eating disorders and a few dozen for "nail disorders" and acne.
Many are genuinely unable to work but experts say up to 500,000 draw benefit as working would make them only slightly better off.
Merthyr Tydfil's Gurnos Estate is considered one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Britain. A former coal and steel-producing powerhouse, this was once the fastest-growing town in the world. After years of decline, last year it was named the UK's worst long-term benefit blackspot. The town was dealt a further hammer blow in March when its Hoover factory closed - and 337 staff docked off for good.
Rows of grey 1950s pebble-dashed Gurnos council houses hug the hill above the town of 55,000.
On her way to the estate's parade of shops an obese 24-year-old mum, with a daughter aged six, proudly tells me: "I've never done a day's work in my life."
Living on £180 benefits a fortnight, the single mum, who declined to be named, added: "My daughter's dad has never set eyes on her. I left school at 14 because I hated it. There are no jobs here for people without qualifications."
But young Poles Magdalena Dobija and Kate Sitarz - out walking their babies - disagree. Magdalena and her husband Leszek, 28, have been in Merthyr for just three years. But after working long hours in menial jobs they have already bought a Gurnos home. Leszek works in a meat packing factory earning around £180 a week for four 12-hour days to support two-year-old daughter Judyata.
The factory has many Poles, Slovaks, Latvians and Portuguese workers, Magdalena says, because they will work long hours for low pay.
Magdalena, 24, originally from a village near Krakow, added: "Most Brits are lovely but when I worked in a town centre takeaway some drunk people would say, 'Polish bitch, why are you working here?'.
"But we are just doing the jobs that they don't want to do."
Boom years from 2001 to 2008 created 1.34million jobs in Britain, but the number of UK-born citizens in work actually FELL by 62,000. Tory backbencher Iain Duncan Smith, 55, said last night: "Don't blame the immigrants. They are, as they say, doing jobs no one wants."
The ex Tory leader, who will fight poverty if David Cameron wins the General Election, added: "I don't blame people who stay on benefits. With the system as it is now, I would do the same."
One in five people in Merthyr have been claiming handouts for more than two years. Life expectancy is two years below the national average and 58 per cent of the population are overweight or obese.
For many households welfare dependency is just a way of life. Last year The Sun placed a spoof advert for a cleaner at minimum wage in local papers and on job websites... and got ONE reply.
Local Rhys Williams, 18, who gets £94 a fortnight in Jobseeker's Allowance, told me: "I was working in painting and decorating but got sacked for turning up drunk."
He admits now spending much of his time downing cider rather than looking for work. Walking with her baby niece, overweight Sophie Clayton, 18, has no qualifications and gets by on £101 a fortnight in Jobseeker's Allowance.
She admitted: "I gave up on school, I didn't bother going. I really don't know what I want to do now."
Policy Exchange, a centre-right think tank, says around 10,000 people in Merthyr claim some sort of state handout - that's 30 per cent of the town's working-age population. Spokesman Lawrence Kay said: "There is nothing nice or kind about a life on benefits. Towns like Merthyr are suffering from a benefits system that has for years said it is OK to take social security without looking for a job."
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Last year Labour scrapped Incapacity Benefit for new claimants and replaced it with an Employment and Support Allowance, for which tougher tests apply.
The Tories say they will reassess 2.6million people on Incapacity Benefit to see if they are fit for work.
Some descendents of those who worked back-breaking shifts in the pits AREN'T afraid to graft.
Back in Ferndale dad-of-two Michael Stephenson, 30, who works in a food warehouse, revealed: "I've never had problems getting a job."
But he added: "It's become Valleys culture for people to go on the sick rather than take a low-paid job."
For the sake of the children of the Valleys, and tax payers like Michael, the ambition-sapping cycle of welfare dependency must be broken.
Tooting benefit thief went abroad
A benefit cheat from Tooting got a welcome home she did not expect when she flew into London and was arrested for fraud.
Mahjabeen Ashfaq was caught at Heathrow Airport on September 2 after she swindled almost £6,500 from taxpayers in bogus claims. Town hall investigators discovered she continued claiming housing benefit for a property in Tooting long after she moved out. She was later found living in Walthamstow.
A warrant was issued for her arrest in December 2007 after she twice failed to attend court to answer the deception charges. She was finally collared when police received information that she would be arriving back in the country last month.
Ms Ashfaq pleaded guilty to two counts of deception, and was sentenced to 100 hours community service. She will also have to pay back the money she dishonestly obtained from the public purse.
Mahjabeen Ashfaq was caught at Heathrow Airport on September 2 after she swindled almost £6,500 from taxpayers in bogus claims. Town hall investigators discovered she continued claiming housing benefit for a property in Tooting long after she moved out. She was later found living in Walthamstow.
A warrant was issued for her arrest in December 2007 after she twice failed to attend court to answer the deception charges. She was finally collared when police received information that she would be arriving back in the country last month.
Ms Ashfaq pleaded guilty to two counts of deception, and was sentenced to 100 hours community service. She will also have to pay back the money she dishonestly obtained from the public purse.
Norwich benefit thief fined
Thomas Bogle, who suffers from cerebral palsy, received £32,632 in benefits between November 2001 and June 2008 despite at one time having more than £120,000 in savings. He has repaid it.
The chairman of the bench, who said he had taken into account the defendant's health and guilty pleas in sentencing him, fined Bogle £9,000, ordered him to pay £5,000 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Bogle was ordered to pay the £9,515 total within 14 days.
The chairman of the bench, who said he had taken into account the defendant's health and guilty pleas in sentencing him, fined Bogle £9,000, ordered him to pay £5,000 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Bogle was ordered to pay the £9,515 total within 14 days.
BGT breakdancing pensioner to repay benefits
Fred Bowers, the breakdancing pensioner from Britain’s Got Talent, has been told to pay back £3,000 in benefits. He was still claiming £50 a month Motability allowance.
He denied that he had been “found out” by going on the show, insisting: “I was overpaid, but it was a mistake by the social". Officials launched a probe into Mr Bowers, who claims he has a bad leg, after receiving an anonymous tip-off following his star turn on the show.
Their inquiry revealed he did not meet the criteria for Motability payments and his £70 a week disability living allowance was too high. He has now handed back his car and will have to pay back the excess he received out of his pension at a rate of £10.80 a week. More from Mr Bowers.
It seems he is not being assessed for any penalty at all.
He denied that he had been “found out” by going on the show, insisting: “I was overpaid, but it was a mistake by the social". Officials launched a probe into Mr Bowers, who claims he has a bad leg, after receiving an anonymous tip-off following his star turn on the show.
Their inquiry revealed he did not meet the criteria for Motability payments and his £70 a week disability living allowance was too high. He has now handed back his car and will have to pay back the excess he received out of his pension at a rate of £10.80 a week. More from Mr Bowers.
It seems he is not being assessed for any penalty at all.
12 Oct 2009
Redditch woman sentenced for benefit fraud
No, not Jacqui Smith, who merely has to apologise to the Commons for designating one room in her sister's London house as her main home, while claiming expenses for the second home, the family house in her constituency of Redditch. Thieving Jacqui rejected the conclusion, saying:
No, this is not immoral whining poster girl Jacqui, this is Tracey Onions, who has been given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, plus a 12-month supervision order for dishonestly claiming benefits totalling £17,644 between February 2006 and December 2008.
She had said she had separated from her partner and was a single parent, but partner had never left and was in full-time work. The magistrates said that the sentence would have been higher had it not been for the early guilty plea. They also confirmed that the money will have to be repaid in full.
No punishment, really.
I am disappointed that this process has not led to a fairer set of conclusions, based on objective and consistent application of the rules as they were at the time.And she has ludicrously described herself as the "poster girl for the expenses scandal".
No, this is not immoral whining poster girl Jacqui, this is Tracey Onions, who has been given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, plus a 12-month supervision order for dishonestly claiming benefits totalling £17,644 between February 2006 and December 2008.
She had said she had separated from her partner and was a single parent, but partner had never left and was in full-time work. The magistrates said that the sentence would have been higher had it not been for the early guilty plea. They also confirmed that the money will have to be repaid in full.
No punishment, really.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud who don't receive a custodial sentence should have to do unpaid work.
Benefit thieves should also have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose over £2bn a year to benefit fraud.
Light sentence for £9k benefit fraud
Tammie Corby from Peterborough was overpaid £1,760 in council tax benefits and £7,249 housing benefits by Peterborough City Council and the DWP.
The court sentenced her to carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community within the next 18 months. She will have to pay £85 costs as well as pay back what she claimed.
The court sentenced her to carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community within the next 18 months. She will have to pay £85 costs as well as pay back what she claimed.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose over £2bn a year to benefit fraud.
11 Oct 2009
No jail for £14k benefit thief
We can't send you to prison, you're not well.
A widow in debt became a benefit cheat after losing her home because her husband changed his will before he died, a court heard.
Jacqueline Hudson, 48, fiddled £14,360 in housing and council tax benefit from Doncaster Council by keeping secret the £500 a month pension her husband's former employers were paying her.
A judge at Doncaster Crown Court decided not to jail Hudson despite branding her a "downright liar" after hearing she had paid some of the money back and was suffering from heart problems.
Hudson, who now lives with her mother, pleaded guilty to three offences of benefit fraud between August 2004 and July 2008.
Her fraud was exposed when a computer check showed she had two bank accounts which she failed to declare to the authority three times. She still owes about £10,000.
"This claim was dishonest from the outset and she persisted in her dishonesty despite being given opportunities to come clean," said Mr Brown.
In mitigation the defence said she was a woman of good character (no - she stole our money for four years) whose husband had died in 2001 after he had changed his will during a time of marital problems.
As a result she lost her home and the £70,000 she inherited was spent within three years so after that she built up debts with a credit card and a loan.
Hudson received a 16 week sentence suspended for a year and 12 month supervision order. She was ordered to pay £200 costs.
A widow in debt became a benefit cheat after losing her home because her husband changed his will before he died, a court heard.
Jacqueline Hudson, 48, fiddled £14,360 in housing and council tax benefit from Doncaster Council by keeping secret the £500 a month pension her husband's former employers were paying her.
A judge at Doncaster Crown Court decided not to jail Hudson despite branding her a "downright liar" after hearing she had paid some of the money back and was suffering from heart problems.
Hudson, who now lives with her mother, pleaded guilty to three offences of benefit fraud between August 2004 and July 2008.
Her fraud was exposed when a computer check showed she had two bank accounts which she failed to declare to the authority three times. She still owes about £10,000.
"This claim was dishonest from the outset and she persisted in her dishonesty despite being given opportunities to come clean," said Mr Brown.
In mitigation the defence said she was a woman of good character (no - she stole our money for four years) whose husband had died in 2001 after he had changed his will during a time of marital problems.
As a result she lost her home and the £70,000 she inherited was spent within three years so after that she built up debts with a credit card and a loan.
Hudson received a 16 week sentence suspended for a year and 12 month supervision order. She was ordered to pay £200 costs.
Foreign gang accused in court
Following arrests of suspected members of a foreign crime gang in connection with an alleged £750,000 benefit fraud, reported here, more details have become public following an initial court appearance.
Four men and two women have been charged with conspiracy to defraud by false representation. It is alleged they were part of a £750,000 fraud network which involved shipping Eastern European workers to the UK and then pocketing their benefits. Six others arrested in the raids have been released on bail.
Four men and two women have been charged with conspiracy to defraud by false representation. It is alleged they were part of a £750,000 fraud network which involved shipping Eastern European workers to the UK and then pocketing their benefits. Six others arrested in the raids have been released on bail.
The gang are alleged to have set up a fake building company, Ragob Ltd, and then flown over workers from Eastern Europe.All six will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on October 23.
Forms were then filled in saying they worked for the company, but crucially that they did not do more than 16 hours’ work a week. Bank accounts were also allegedly opened in their names.
That then opened the door to claims for benefits such as tax credits and child benefits, the prosecution said.
The workers would then be allegedly flown back to Eastern Europe after two or three days, but the gang would keep all their bank cards and access the benefits, which continued to be paid.
10 Oct 2009
Benefit cheat magistrate faces jail
Yes, our officials are at it too. A former Plymouth magistrate is facing jail after being found guilty of multiple counts of benefit fraud.
Stephen Barker became a Justice of the Peace in 2003, and was at one time a governor of three Plymouth primary schools.
But a jury has unanimously convicted him on all 12 counts, which he had denied. They found that he claimed more than £18,000 in incapacity benefit, income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit between October 2001 and May 2005.
He had said he was not self-employed, when actually he was a self-employed fisherman. He also failed to declare ownership of a house in Hull, which would have affected his entitlement.
More
Stephen Barker became a Justice of the Peace in 2003, and was at one time a governor of three Plymouth primary schools.
But a jury has unanimously convicted him on all 12 counts, which he had denied. They found that he claimed more than £18,000 in incapacity benefit, income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit between October 2001 and May 2005.
He had said he was not self-employed, when actually he was a self-employed fisherman. He also failed to declare ownership of a house in Hull, which would have affected his entitlement.
More
9 Oct 2009
Jail for £43k fraud
John Phillips, from Leeds, defrauded the taxpayer of more than £43,000 over a nine-year period.
Jailed for nine months for each of five benefit fraud offences, the sentences to run concurrently, Phillips's pre-sentence report said that he planned to earn enough money from gambling to repay the cash. He had already repaid £8,500 by opening a string of credit card accounts, the court was told.
Phillips, of Beeston, Leeds, had failed to tell the authorities his wife was working as he claimed income support and pension credit, as well as council tax and housing benefit.
Jailed for nine months for each of five benefit fraud offences, the sentences to run concurrently, Phillips's pre-sentence report said that he planned to earn enough money from gambling to repay the cash. He had already repaid £8,500 by opening a string of credit card accounts, the court was told.
Phillips, of Beeston, Leeds, had failed to tell the authorities his wife was working as he claimed income support and pension credit, as well as council tax and housing benefit.
8 Oct 2009
Mother jailed for £32k benefit fraud
A Hartlepool benefit thief who fleeced taxpayers of £32,229 in income support and other benefits between the end of 2004 and the start of 2008, while claiming she was a single mother, has been jailed for 15 months.
The judge said her actions were "an affront to all the hard-working people".
The court heard Gowland has a bad record of shoplifting to fund a heroin addiction which she kicked six years ago.
It was said that her children, particularly the youngest who are aged three and seven, would be "greatly affected" by a custodial sentence. But Judge John Walford said he had to mark her crime by jailing her, adding:
The judge said her actions were "an affront to all the hard-working people".
The court heard Gowland has a bad record of shoplifting to fund a heroin addiction which she kicked six years ago.
It was said that her children, particularly the youngest who are aged three and seven, would be "greatly affected" by a custodial sentence. But Judge John Walford said he had to mark her crime by jailing her, adding:
There is increasing anger at those who persistently defraud the benefits system.
Not to send you to prison would be an affront to all the hard working people who don't resort to crime and don't resort to fleecing the welfare state when they fall into financial difficulties.
Shannon "aunt" admits £30k benefit theft
Amanda Hyett, 27, the sister of Karen Matthews' ex-partner Craig Meehan, has admitted admitted four counts of making a false statement or representation to obtain benefits, one count of retaining a wrongful credit, and one count of failure to notify a change of circumstances.
She illegally claimed over £30,000 in income support and housing benefit over a four-year period, including the time when Shannon was missing.
She illegally claimed over £30,000 in income support and housing benefit over a four-year period, including the time when Shannon was missing.
The bulk of the charges relate to her failing to declare that she was living with her husband Neil when obtaining the benefits.
One charge relates to her retaining credits of £5,181.52 which was paid into an an account kept by her at the Post Office which she failed to cancel.
The total fraud amounted to £35,885.27, the court was told.
She was bailed but told to expect a prison sentence.Foreign organised crime targets benefit fraud
Usually we feature benefit theft by individuals ("benefit cheats") who often have little trouble getting round the rules for years on end.
But such an easy target must also be attractive to organised crime, as this example illustrates (fuller details here) -
Suspected members of an organised crime gang have been arrested in connection with an alleged £750,000 fraud.
A joint operation between Northumbria Police and the UK Border Agency involving more than 80 officers concluded in raids on properties in Felling, Gateshead, and Newcastle’s West End in the early hours of yesterday morning.
They arrested 12 people at 20 addresses alleged to be linked to a gangland operation which has seen foreign nationals shipped into Tyneside to make false benefit claims. All of those held were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and their links to an overseas criminal clan are being investigated. ...
But such an easy target must also be attractive to organised crime, as this example illustrates (fuller details here) -
Suspected members of an organised crime gang have been arrested in connection with an alleged £750,000 fraud.
A joint operation between Northumbria Police and the UK Border Agency involving more than 80 officers concluded in raids on properties in Felling, Gateshead, and Newcastle’s West End in the early hours of yesterday morning.
They arrested 12 people at 20 addresses alleged to be linked to a gangland operation which has seen foreign nationals shipped into Tyneside to make false benefit claims. All of those held were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and their links to an overseas criminal clan are being investigated. ...
Jail for £22k benefit fraud
Mahmood Shah claimed a total of £22,035 in disability allowance between July 2002 and October 2007 for a serious back injury while he worked as an unofficial bouncer at a Sheffield swingers' nightclub and lifted weights at the gym.
He started claiming disability benefit allowance in October 1989 when he said he was hardly able to walk, but by 2002 his situation had improved and he was able to work.
A month-long surveillance operation by the DWP also showed him putting the wheelie bin out, carrying tins of paint, and regularly visiting B&Q. Click for video.
He was also in breach of a nine month suspended sentence handed out at Derby Crown Court in March 2002 for an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge Robert Moore sentenced him to 12 months for benefit fraud and six months for the suspended sentence to run consecutively.
He started claiming disability benefit allowance in October 1989 when he said he was hardly able to walk, but by 2002 his situation had improved and he was able to work.
A month-long surveillance operation by the DWP also showed him putting the wheelie bin out, carrying tins of paint, and regularly visiting B&Q. Click for video.
He was also in breach of a nine month suspended sentence handed out at Derby Crown Court in March 2002 for an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge Robert Moore sentenced him to 12 months for benefit fraud and six months for the suspended sentence to run consecutively.
- A month's surveillance for one offender. This is why the stream of benefit fraud needs to be turned off at source - the enforcement apparatus can't cope.
Tougher sentences are the only way to achieve this.
Jail for £31k benefit thief
A taxi driver who fleeced the taxpayer out of £31,884 in benefits over a three-year period has been jailed for 15 months.
Andrew Lennon, from Middlesborough, did not tell the authorities he was a self-employed taxi driver, paying no tax on his earnings, between May 2005 and August 2008.
Now, ironically, because of his crimes he is no longer seen as fit to drive a taxi and is living entirely off benefits, Teesside Crown Court heard.
He was overpaid £19,751 in income support, £9,514 housing benefit and £2,618 council tax benefit.
His fraud came to light when Middlesbrough Council cross-referenced his taxi licensing and benefits data.
He said he kept no record of his taxi takings and paid no tax or national insurance on them. He has since paid back almost £500 of the benefits!
Andrew Lennon, from Middlesborough, did not tell the authorities he was a self-employed taxi driver, paying no tax on his earnings, between May 2005 and August 2008.
Now, ironically, because of his crimes he is no longer seen as fit to drive a taxi and is living entirely off benefits, Teesside Crown Court heard.
He was overpaid £19,751 in income support, £9,514 housing benefit and £2,618 council tax benefit.
His fraud came to light when Middlesbrough Council cross-referenced his taxi licensing and benefits data.
He said he kept no record of his taxi takings and paid no tax or national insurance on them. He has since paid back almost £500 of the benefits!
7 Oct 2009
No jail for £48k benefit thieves - you're parents
This is getting beyond a joke. This blog is recording more and more cases of benefit thieves who get away with it because they have children (see today's 7am post). This couple could and should have served sentences one at a time.
A benefits cheat couple who stole £48,442 in income support, housing and council tax benefit between 2000 and 2007 have been given nearly 80 years to pay it back - at a rate of 85p per day.
Brian Payne and Carol Cripwell will be 120 and 116 years old by the time they have repaid the debt.
They failed to declare they were living together and that Payne was working as a courier driver at the time.
The fraudsters narrowly avoided a prison sentence after a judge at Bristol Crown Court told them it would have a 'catastrophic effect' on their six children. They were sentenced to 12-months imprisonment suspended for two years with 100 hours unpaid work each, and ordered to pay back the full amount at £12-per-week - which means they would not repay the full amount until 2086.
More background and special pleading
A benefits cheat couple who stole £48,442 in income support, housing and council tax benefit between 2000 and 2007 have been given nearly 80 years to pay it back - at a rate of 85p per day.
Brian Payne and Carol Cripwell will be 120 and 116 years old by the time they have repaid the debt.
They failed to declare they were living together and that Payne was working as a courier driver at the time.
The fraudsters narrowly avoided a prison sentence after a judge at Bristol Crown Court told them it would have a 'catastrophic effect' on their six children. They were sentenced to 12-months imprisonment suspended for two years with 100 hours unpaid work each, and ordered to pay back the full amount at £12-per-week - which means they would not repay the full amount until 2086.
More background and special pleading
Jail for £100k benefit fraud
Stabroek News reports on a Guyanese couple jailed for benefit theft in Croydon for fraudulently claiming about £100,000 in benefits after stealing the identities of a brother and sister.
Kamini Sukram, who stole the identity of Savriti Naidoo, and her partner Indar Kumar Mohan, who went under the names Mark Anthony Singh and Regendra Naidoo, were both sentenced to eight months in prison at Croydon Crown Court in August.
The fraud came to light when the real Savriti Naidoo, who lives in the United States, reported her suspicion that someone had stolen her identity.
Fraud investigators established that a man and a woman were working using false identities and claiming housing and council tax benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit and child benefit they were not entitled to. The home of Sukram and Mohan, who were working full-time at the Mayday Hospital in Croydon, was searched in July and investigators found that they had saved some £20,000 in a bank account in Guyana.
It was found that Sukram and Mohan, who claimed to be brother and sister so that they could claim a string of benefits, were actually a couple with a child who was born in the UK shortly after they moved there.
They claimed that they had been using false identities which were given to them by a third party after they discovered the pregnancy. They said they went along with it because they were not sure of their rights and because they were naive. They also said that after some time they wanted to put things right and declare to the authorities who they were but they were threatened with blackmail and so continued with the frauds. This doesn't make sense.
After they serve their prison sentences, the Home Office will consider deporting them.
More
Kamini Sukram, who stole the identity of Savriti Naidoo, and her partner Indar Kumar Mohan, who went under the names Mark Anthony Singh and Regendra Naidoo, were both sentenced to eight months in prison at Croydon Crown Court in August.
The fraud came to light when the real Savriti Naidoo, who lives in the United States, reported her suspicion that someone had stolen her identity.
Fraud investigators established that a man and a woman were working using false identities and claiming housing and council tax benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit and child benefit they were not entitled to. The home of Sukram and Mohan, who were working full-time at the Mayday Hospital in Croydon, was searched in July and investigators found that they had saved some £20,000 in a bank account in Guyana.
It was found that Sukram and Mohan, who claimed to be brother and sister so that they could claim a string of benefits, were actually a couple with a child who was born in the UK shortly after they moved there.
They claimed that they had been using false identities which were given to them by a third party after they discovered the pregnancy. They said they went along with it because they were not sure of their rights and because they were naive. They also said that after some time they wanted to put things right and declare to the authorities who they were but they were threatened with blackmail and so continued with the frauds. This doesn't make sense.
After they serve their prison sentences, the Home Office will consider deporting them.
More
No jail for £30k benefit thief - she's a mother
Another "exceptional" light sentence. This intelligent woman stole £30,000 from us but she's not going to prison.
A SUPPLY teacher who fiddled £30,000 benefits was spared jail after a judge took pity on her. Churchgoer Susan Brissenden was given a 51-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, after she admitted a two-year benefit fraud.
The 53-year-old single mother of two boys was off sick from work and claiming income support and council tax benefit when she was asked to start teaching again. She was employed by Gateshead Council in local schools to teach English, at first for a few hours a week. When the offences were discovered last year, she was also teaching drama and earning £2,100 a month.
But she had neglected to tell her authorities about her change in circumstances. ...
Recorder Andrew Haslam said the offences deserved a jail sentence, which he suspended as an "exceptional course".
"I take into account your unique personal circumstances, and in particular your two young boys, which put you in a different position from others," he said.
A SUPPLY teacher who fiddled £30,000 benefits was spared jail after a judge took pity on her. Churchgoer Susan Brissenden was given a 51-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, after she admitted a two-year benefit fraud.
The 53-year-old single mother of two boys was off sick from work and claiming income support and council tax benefit when she was asked to start teaching again. She was employed by Gateshead Council in local schools to teach English, at first for a few hours a week. When the offences were discovered last year, she was also teaching drama and earning £2,100 a month.
But she had neglected to tell her authorities about her change in circumstances. ...
Recorder Andrew Haslam said the offences deserved a jail sentence, which he suspended as an "exceptional course".
"I take into account your unique personal circumstances, and in particular your two young boys, which put you in a different position from others," he said.
6 Oct 2009
Light sentence for benefit thief, 22
Tiani Fuller, 22, from Eastbourne, claimed housing and council tax benefit, as well as income support, as a single parent but failed to declare that her partner had moved back into the household.
In six months she had obtained a total of £5,686, which she will have to pay back in full.
She was sentenced to a four-month curfew and ordered to pay costs of £300 for the time taken by the officers investigating her case.
In sentencing, the magistrates gave Fuller full credit for pleading guilty but stated she was on the brink of a custodial sentence were it not for the fact she hadn't used her gains for a 'luxury lifestyle'.
In six months she had obtained a total of £5,686, which she will have to pay back in full.
She was sentenced to a four-month curfew and ordered to pay costs of £300 for the time taken by the officers investigating her case.
In sentencing, the magistrates gave Fuller full credit for pleading guilty but stated she was on the brink of a custodial sentence were it not for the fact she hadn't used her gains for a 'luxury lifestyle'.
- It wasn't much of a punishment in the end.
These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud who don't receive a custodial sentence should have to do unpaid work.
Benefit thieves should also have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
Taxpayers lose over £2bn a year to benefit fraud.
5 Oct 2009
Jail for £45k benefit theft
Akif Genc, from Tottenham, claimed more than £45,000 in housing and council tax benefit between 2002 and 2006 despite having between £30,000 to £50,000 in various accounts. Eligibility for benefits ends if total savings exceed £16,000.
Genc was interviewed by investigators in early 2007 and claimed the money belonged to friends and family who had offered him loans to start up a kebab business. In July that year, Genc was evicted from his housing association property for racking up more than £5,000 in unpaid rent and fled Haringey, but he was traced to a property in Enfield and appealed against a £41,901 claim lodged.
The case was later referred to Wood Green Crown Court, where he denied all charges, maintaining his secret fund was made up of personal loans. His claims were rejected by the jury.
Genc was ordered to serve a two-year jail term and pay £44,593.87 and a further £18,941.40 in legal costs.
Genc was interviewed by investigators in early 2007 and claimed the money belonged to friends and family who had offered him loans to start up a kebab business. In July that year, Genc was evicted from his housing association property for racking up more than £5,000 in unpaid rent and fled Haringey, but he was traced to a property in Enfield and appealed against a £41,901 claim lodged.
The case was later referred to Wood Green Crown Court, where he denied all charges, maintaining his secret fund was made up of personal loans. His claims were rejected by the jury.
Genc was ordered to serve a two-year jail term and pay £44,593.87 and a further £18,941.40 in legal costs.
Benefit thief stole again
AN Age Concern home support carer allowed to continue working for the charity despite admitting a benefit fraud worth £15,000, stole thousands of pounds from an elderly couple.
Jacqueline Ware, from Peterborough, swindled £6,978 from the "particularly vulnerable" couple over a year.
Sentence: 12 months' jail.
More
Jacqueline Ware, from Peterborough, swindled £6,978 from the "particularly vulnerable" couple over a year.
Sentence: 12 months' jail.
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Benefit fraud lasted seven years
Lindsey Pearce from South Shields has admitted falsely obtaining benefits totalling £53,000 between 2001 and 2008.
While she was making claims for income support, she failed to declare she was working. Sentence was adjourned but the Judge warned her that custody is inevitable.
While she was making claims for income support, she failed to declare she was working. Sentence was adjourned but the Judge warned her that custody is inevitable.
4 Oct 2009
Granny ran rings round benefit rules
A grandmother who claimed she could barely walk was caught on camera running over a mile while pushing her grandchild in its pram.
Cardelia Bell from Lancaster was also observed by undercover surveillance officers jogging around the streets with her dog in tow.
Despite claiming it took her four minutes to walk just 20 metres and that she struggled to get in and out of bed she was caught regularly running during a diet and exercise regime. She had claimed she found it difficult to stand and that she walked on crutches and often misjudged steps and kerbs.
When questioned by DWP officers Bell - who had unexplained weight loss after she reached 20 stone - admitted she had been reasonably active since April 2008. She admitted failing to inform the DWP of the change in her circumstances and had been receiving disability living allowance since October 2002.
Bell had been overpaid a total of £2,138 during her six month deceit until she was caught. She was fined £65 and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Cardelia Bell from Lancaster was also observed by undercover surveillance officers jogging around the streets with her dog in tow.
Despite claiming it took her four minutes to walk just 20 metres and that she struggled to get in and out of bed she was caught regularly running during a diet and exercise regime. She had claimed she found it difficult to stand and that she walked on crutches and often misjudged steps and kerbs.
When questioned by DWP officers Bell - who had unexplained weight loss after she reached 20 stone - admitted she had been reasonably active since April 2008. She admitted failing to inform the DWP of the change in her circumstances and had been receiving disability living allowance since October 2002.
Bell had been overpaid a total of £2,138 during her six month deceit until she was caught. She was fined £65 and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Criminality in the family
An entertainer who has shared the stage with some of the greatest stand-up comedians is behind bars after admitting benefit fraud.
Robert Webber, 67, from Washington is the father of Robert Webber junior, who was convicted of plotting to murder rival Terence Mitchell in 1995 and jailed for 18 years. But he is now in custody himself after admitting a £69,000 benefit con.
His claims, between 2003 and 2009, were made while he was living at his property in Tenerife and therefore he would not have been entitled to anything from the UK public purse. He also admitted using some of the benefit cash to buy premium bonds.
Judge Guy Whitburn adjourned the case and remanded Webber back into custody, warning him that prison was inevitable.
More
Robert Webber, 67, from Washington is the father of Robert Webber junior, who was convicted of plotting to murder rival Terence Mitchell in 1995 and jailed for 18 years. But he is now in custody himself after admitting a £69,000 benefit con.
His claims, between 2003 and 2009, were made while he was living at his property in Tenerife and therefore he would not have been entitled to anything from the UK public purse. He also admitted using some of the benefit cash to buy premium bonds.
Judge Guy Whitburn adjourned the case and remanded Webber back into custody, warning him that prison was inevitable.
More
3 Oct 2009
Three Manchester blue badge fraud convictions
James Connor, from Stockport, was ordered to pay a total of £405 after he was caught out using someone else's badge on King Street. Connor, who pleaded guilty to blue badge misuse, said that he was driving the badge owner, a 92-year-old lady, on a trip. He said that he had dropped her off before nipping into town. He added that he displayed the badge in his window while he nipped into do the woman's banking without realising it was a crime to do so without her being present.
Gareth Jones, from Blackpool, used a fake blue badge when he parked his Saab on Brown Street in the city centre. He said he had bought it from a friend and had used it less than ten times. He was fined £120, and ordered to pay £358 costs.
Shahnaz Gul Khan, from Cheetham Hill, was found guilty of blue badge misuse in her absence. She parked her Vauxhall in a disabled bay on West Mosley Street in the city centre before going to the town hall to pay her council tax. Inspectors found the badge, which belonged to someone else, expired in 2005. She was fined £525 and ordered to pay £442 costs.
Gareth Jones, from Blackpool, used a fake blue badge when he parked his Saab on Brown Street in the city centre. He said he had bought it from a friend and had used it less than ten times. He was fined £120, and ordered to pay £358 costs.
Shahnaz Gul Khan, from Cheetham Hill, was found guilty of blue badge misuse in her absence. She parked her Vauxhall in a disabled bay on West Mosley Street in the city centre before going to the town hall to pay her council tax. Inspectors found the badge, which belonged to someone else, expired in 2005. She was fined £525 and ordered to pay £442 costs.
2 Oct 2009
Possible savings on single person discount
Experian says that over the 100 Residency Checker projects it has worked with since late 2006 it has saved local authorities approximately £23 million.
When extrapolated to all 380 local authorities, it somehow suggests that between £105m and £159m revenue could be realised if all local authorities used its product.
As we know, the Audit Commission recently reported on council tax single person discount fraud, guessing a total costs to councils of £90m, based on a fraud level of 4% among SPD claim.
The National Fraud Initiative had suggested a "cautious" estimate of £200m.
When extrapolated to all 380 local authorities, it somehow suggests that between £105m and £159m revenue could be realised if all local authorities used its product.
As we know, the Audit Commission recently reported on council tax single person discount fraud, guessing a total costs to councils of £90m, based on a fraud level of 4% among SPD claim.
The National Fraud Initiative had suggested a "cautious" estimate of £200m.
Two benefit frauds in Ashford
Hazel Cunningham claimed benefits totalling £21,816 for a period of three-and-a-half years from 2005 to 2008 despite being back at work. She was sentenced to 120 days in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £100 after being charged with dishonestly claiming Housing & Council Tax Benefit and Incapacity Benefit.
Lisa Oakley falsified letters and receipts for childcare expenses, which came to light when the council contacted the childcare provider. She was charged with dishonestly providing false documents and making false statements in relation to claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit that totalled £2,384, and was ordered to pay £300 costs and given a 12 month community order with supervision.
Lisa Oakley falsified letters and receipts for childcare expenses, which came to light when the council contacted the childcare provider. She was charged with dishonestly providing false documents and making false statements in relation to claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit that totalled £2,384, and was ordered to pay £300 costs and given a 12 month community order with supervision.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
Benefit thieves should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Taxpayers lose over £2bn a year to benefit fraud.
Trivial punishment for £15k fraud
Emma Kyte from Kemsing, who claimed she was bringing up her children alone, has admitted her partner was living with her and working full time. She pleaded guilty to three charges of benefit fraud totalling £15,600 over two years.
She had £4,683 in income support, £9,106 in housing benefit and £1,868 in council tax benefit.
She was ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work, pay £150 in legal costs and given a 12-month Community Punishment Order.
Both the district council and the DWP are seeking full repayment.
She had £4,683 in income support, £9,106 in housing benefit and £1,868 in council tax benefit.
She was ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work, pay £150 in legal costs and given a 12-month Community Punishment Order.
Both the district council and the DWP are seeking full repayment.
- Commenters on the report point out that this is one week's work for over £15,000, which doesn't seem much. Another says she has started paying back the money - which of course is usually a slow process with no interest charged.
These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose over £2bn a year to benefit fraud.
1 Oct 2009
Jail for £60k benefit fraud
Tracey Whiting, from Brighton, denied that Timothy Clark, the father of her children, lived with her, but she was convicted of six offences of benefit fraud.
Whiting had claimed she was a single mother in applications for income support to the DWP, as well as housing and council tax benefit from Brighton and Hove City Council, since 1999. She failed to declare Mr Clark lived with her and received over £60,000 in benefits.
But after a tip-off the house was kept under surveillance and video footage was filmed of Mr Clark entering and leaving. Checks were also carried out that showed the couple had household bills in joint names.
She was jailed for two years.
Whiting had claimed she was a single mother in applications for income support to the DWP, as well as housing and council tax benefit from Brighton and Hove City Council, since 1999. She failed to declare Mr Clark lived with her and received over £60,000 in benefits.
But after a tip-off the house was kept under surveillance and video footage was filmed of Mr Clark entering and leaving. Checks were also carried out that showed the couple had household bills in joint names.
She was jailed for two years.
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