Wokingham Benefit fraudster found out
Wokingham Borough Council has sent a clear message that benefit fraud is not acceptable with the prosecution of Mr Christopher Dear of London Road, Wokingham.
Mr Dear’s Wokingham housing and council tax benefit claim was brought to the attention of the council's benefit fraud investigations team by benefits officers who had suspicions about his tenancy agreement. Investigations into Mr Dear’s claim revealed that he had submitted a fictitious tenancy agreement in order to take advantage of the benefits system.
Mr Dear, a former director of Bracknell school uniform outfitters Dalby & Dalby, admitted to fictitious claims totalling £15,459.74 in housing benefit and £2,659.85 in council tax benefit. Having made inquiries and being told that he was not entitled to receive benefit, Mr Dear produced a false tenancy agreement, naming a company as his landlord. In fact his landlord was a member of his family.
At Reading Crown Court on June 15, he was sentenced by Recorder Harrison to 240 hours of community service over two years.
Wokingham Revenues and benefits services manager Kevin Mercer said: “This prosecution sends a strong message to anyone who may be attempting to cheat the benefit system. Our benefit fraud investigations team are extremely vigilant, and those who make fraudulent claims will be found out and made to pay.”
Mr Dear’s Wokingham housing and council tax benefit claim was brought to the attention of the council's benefit fraud investigations team by benefits officers who had suspicions about his tenancy agreement. Investigations into Mr Dear’s claim revealed that he had submitted a fictitious tenancy agreement in order to take advantage of the benefits system.
Mr Dear, a former director of Bracknell school uniform outfitters Dalby & Dalby, admitted to fictitious claims totalling £15,459.74 in housing benefit and £2,659.85 in council tax benefit. Having made inquiries and being told that he was not entitled to receive benefit, Mr Dear produced a false tenancy agreement, naming a company as his landlord. In fact his landlord was a member of his family.
At Reading Crown Court on June 15, he was sentenced by Recorder Harrison to 240 hours of community service over two years.
Wokingham Revenues and benefits services manager Kevin Mercer said: “This prosecution sends a strong message to anyone who may be attempting to cheat the benefit system. Our benefit fraud investigations team are extremely vigilant, and those who make fraudulent claims will be found out and made to pay.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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