Jail for Kidderminster benefits thief

A Kidderminster man has been given a 12 month prison sentence after he admitted defrauding the benefit system out of more than £36,000.

Stephen Harper appeared before Magistrates after failing to attend an earlier hearing when Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest. He later pleaded guilty to three charges of benefit fraud.

Ruth Edwards, prosecuting for the district council and DWP, told the court Harper had failed to tell the authorities about inheritance payments he had received, which totalled £80,000. The Court also heard Harper and his partner were claiming benefit as a couple and Harper had not declared his partner owned another property.

As a result between April 2007 and December 2010 he received £4,124 Council Tax Benefit, £13,555 Housing Benefit and £18,432 Income Support to which he was not entitled.

The overpayment will also have to be re-paid to the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

• Benefit thieves do it for the money. They should know they will have to pay back twice what they stole, and that they will get no benefits until they have. A confiscation order should be made immediately.