He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work and pay back housing benefit from November 2003, for renting a room and stating on his forms he was not related to his landlord, who was in fact his son-in-law. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs to the council. Council officers said they found evidence that showed Mr Cohen’s daughter and grandson also lived at the property.
In a separate case, Charlotte Rose, from Cranham, was prosecuted for falsely claiming to be a lone parent to claim benefits. She pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify the council that the father of her child was living with her. Ms Rose had been paid more than £42,000 in income support, housing and council tax. She was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.
Both defendants have to pay the money back to the Council.
htp Dave
- 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.
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