April 2011

April 2011

• A 29 year old man from Kings Heath, previously of Solihull was successfully prosecuted at Solihull Magistrates Court following an investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team. He produced a false statement to the Council in order to claim Housing Benefit that stated he wasn’t related to his landlord, when it fact it was later proved by the Benefit Fraud team to be his sister. He pleaded guilty in court to the offence of knowingly producing a false statement and was sentenced to an 18 month Conditional Discharge. He is also repaying the overpaid Housing Benefit totalling £1,655.18.
• A 39 year old woman from Shirley was successfully prosecuted at Solihull Magistrates Court following a joint investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and JobCentre Plus Fraud Team. She had failed to advise either department that her partner, who was in full time employment, had moved into her address on a full time basis and also that she had been in paid employment. She pleaded guilty in court to the offence of failing to declare changes in her circumstances and was sentenced to 70 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £250. She is also repaying the overpaid Income Support and Council Tax Benefit totalling £5,712.05.
• A 45 year old man from Kingshurst was successfully prosecuted at Solihull Magistrates Court following a joint investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and JobCentre Plus Fraud Team. He had failed to advise either department that he had been in full time employment whilst claiming Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.. He pleaded guilty in court to the offence of failing to declare changes in his circumstances and was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order including 80 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £100. He is also repaying the overpaid Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit totalling £3128.23.