Click here to link to the Council's anti-fraud information
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In December 2005 Miss J has been given 150hrs CPO for offences under section 112 of the SSAA for £4000+ of benefit fraud. Costs of £282.50 also awarded.
Miss M was fined £170 and costs of £100 for three offences. The overpayments were recovered in full prior to the court case.
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In June 2005 Mr R pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Council that he had commenced employment contrary to s.111A(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992. He had fraudulently claimed £2806.27 Housing Benefit and £717.46 Council Tax. He was sentenced to pay £250 fine and £261 for the Council's costs.
Ms W was convicted of failing to notify the Council that her partner was living with her contrary to s.111A(1A) Social Security Administration Act 1992. As a result of the fraud she had been overpaid £1661.31 Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit of £305.16. The sentence was £75 fine reduced to £50 for an early guilty plea and £30 costs.
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In May 2005 Mr M was found guilty of failing to declare he started work and was find £150 and £150 costs.
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In April 2005 Mr B and Mrs B from South Ham pleaded guilty to Housing Benefit and Council Tax fraud of £12011.04. The magistrates stated they were very lucky not to receive custodial sentences and imposed 240hours CPO on each plus £141.25 costs each.
Mr M from South Ham was convicted of Housing Benefit and Council Tax fraud of £434.48. He was given a 60 hours community service punishment order and £50 costs.
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In March 2005 and following an exercise which involved surveillance over a prolonged period, having previously denied the charges Miss W and Mr A pleaded guilty to fraudulently applying for and receiving Housing and Council Tax Benefits. Miss W was find £150 with £50 costs. Mr A was fined £100 and £50 costs. The total loss to this authority and the public purse was £6528.
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In February 2005 Mr M was due to appear in court in September and again in November charged under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 Sec 111 (failure to inform or knowingly allow a person to fail to inform the LA of a change in circumstances (when claiming housing benefit)) - he failed to attend, his case was proved in absence and he and his partner were found guilty. A warrant was issued for their arrest and Mr M was arrested Wednesday 16th February. His case was heard on Thursday 17th February and Court ruled conviction not to be set aside - and fined him £200.00 and £125 costs.
Mr C was convicted of 2 offences under section 111 of the Social Security Act and was fined £200 and orodered to pay £100 costs
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In January 2005 Miss B was given 150 hours community service, reduced to 100 hours for an early guilty plea. The magistrate stated that she had come very close to being sent to prison as she had previous convictions for dishonesty. If Miss B fails to complete the order she will be sent to prison.
Mr C who failed to declsre his was working pleaded guilty and was fined £230 and £200 costs. The overpayment and loss to the public purse was £5000 of which £4177 has been recovered.
Mrs C was found guilty of three offences relating to undisclosed Invalid Care Allowance over a three year period. The loss to the public purse was over £2000.00. The court have recommended a community rehabilitation order to be considered and have adjourned until 27 January 2005 to allow probation to see her.
Ms T was found guilty of six offences contrary to the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and was given 80 hours Community Service and ordered to pay £150 costs. Mr T was found guilty of two offences and was given 40 hours Community Service and ordered to pay £161.25 costs.
Mr P was found guilty of two offences, fined £200 and ordered to pay £257.50 costs. Whilst undertaking two full-time jobs he had continued to claim Housing and Council Tax benefit. This person was arrested under warrant having failed to appear in court on two previous occasions.