Benefit cheat caught out by Wokingham
Wokingham Borough Council has sent a clear message that benefit fraud is not acceptable with the prosecution of Bryan Lawrence of Sonning.
Mr Lawrence made false applications for Wokingham housing benefit and council tax benefit in February and March 2004 by failing to declare his savings accounts, and then failed to report that he had started work for a supermarket in May 2004. Mr Lawrence kept this secret until November 2006, when he eventually declared the correct information. He was overpaid a total of £7,066.50 over the duration of his fraudulent activity.
At Reading Magistrates Court on June 5, Mr Lawrence was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs.
Revenues and benefits investigations manager Alistair Nunn-Price 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 Lawrence made false applications for Wokingham housing benefit and council tax benefit in February and March 2004 by failing to declare his savings accounts, and then failed to report that he had started work for a supermarket in May 2004. Mr Lawrence kept this secret until November 2006, when he eventually declared the correct information. He was overpaid a total of £7,066.50 over the duration of his fraudulent activity.
At Reading Magistrates Court on June 5, Mr Lawrence was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs.
Revenues and benefits investigations manager Alistair Nunn-Price 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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