A COACH driver from Bosbury has been given a 24-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months after cheating the benefits system of £27,745.
Brain Pizzey was claiming Carer’s Allowance for his wife, as well as Pension Credit. He claimed the benefits from February 2005 to December 2008 on the basis that he was of pensionable age, he had no savings and that the couple’s only source of income was his wife’s Disability Living Allowance.
However, evidence from the DWP showed that during the course of his claims Mr Pizzey had worked as a driver for Newbury Coaches from March 2005.
Mr Pizzey admitted undertaking the work and not declaring a change in circumstances to the DWP. He was given two 12-week custodial sentences, suspended for 12 months, with a 12-month community supervision order and was ordered to repay £27,745, with no costs.
DWP fraud investigator Sian Fellowes said: “If you commit benefit theft, don’t expect to get away with it. Our investigators are equipped with a wide range of powers and techniques to track you down. We are catching more and more of those who steal money intended for vulnerable people, and when we track them down they face heavy penalties.”
Mr Pizzey didn't, though.
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