Councillor criticises benefit fraud sentence

A benefits cheat who helped himself to £9,250 in state handouts has been ordered to pay it all back.

Simeon Olaleye, 64, of Audley Way, Basildon, falsely claimed £250 in council tax benefit and £9,000 in pension credit.

He failed to declare a second civil service pension for himself and a civil service pension for his wife, was sentenced to a 24-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £460 at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

He was prosecuted by Basildon Council on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.

Phil Turner, the council’s cabinet member for resources, said he felt the fraudster should have been sent to jail.

• 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.
  
  Everyone convicted of benefit fraud who doesn't go to prison 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.