£13.5k benefit fraud man in court

A BARWICK man has, pleaded guilty to four charges of benefit fraud when he appeared before South Somerset Magistrates' Court in Yeovil.

He failed to tell South Somerset District Council that he had returned to full time work after being off sick.  He also did not tell the Council that his partner had also found work, and as a result he was paid over £13,500 between February 2009 and September 2011 that he was not entitled to receive.
 
He told the court that he knew he should have declared the change in his household circumstances and was very remorseful.  He was glad when this all came out because he had been stressed by the situation but was too embarrassed to come forward.
 
The Magistrates requested a report for the Probation Service and adjourned the case until October 11, 2010, when he will be sentenced.  He is already repaying the money.

Cllr Ric Pallister, leader of the council, said: ''Council litigators and investigators work very hard to bring these cases to Court, and benefit fraud will always be treated seriously and prosecuted where appropriate.

''If you have done something wrong it is always best to come forward because the longer you leave it the worse it gets and the more money you will have to pay back.”
 
To tell South Somerset District Council about someone you know or who you believe to be committing benefit fraud, telephone the Investigations Team on 01935-462208 or write to Investigation Section, Freepost RSHR-TEUC-GHBL, South Somerset District Council, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2HT.

Alternatively, you can contact the National Fraud Hotline free on 0800 328 6340 (Textphone 0800 328 6341), or email Benefits.Investigation@southsomerset.gov.uk

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