Housing And Council Tax Benefit Fraud

Five people pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrates Court on 5 November having been summonsed by Dover District Council in relation to fraudulent claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Barry John Clark, 38, formerly of King Street, Dover, pleaded guilty to failing to report a change in his circumstance, in that he was receiving Working and Child Tax Credits, which he had not declared. He fraudulently obtained £4,939 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit. This case was adjourned for pre sentence reports. He will be sentenced on 3 December 2007.

Louise Edwards, 36, of Pardoners Way, Dover, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to report a change in her circumstances. Her partner, a taxi driver at the time of the offence, commenced full time work though only part time work had been declared. She fraudulently obtained £4,243 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit. She was fined £500 and ordered to pay £100 towards the prosecution costs.

Julie Stallwood, 44, of Christchurch Road, Dover, pleaded guilty to one offence of dishonestly failing to notify a change in her circumstances and three offences of dishonestly making a false statement to obtain benefit. She had received £37,000 as a settlement, which she failed to declare and would have taken her out of benefit. She obtained £8,437, which she has since repaid. She was sentenced to a Community Order and ordered to pay £100 costs.

Simon Calveley, 53, and Raymond Ratnam, 49, both of Gladstone Road, Deal, pleaded guilty to dishonestly furnishing false documents to support a claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit by Raymond Ratnam, involving a false tenancy agreement stating he was a tenant when he was not. He fraudulently obtained £4,020 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit. They were both sentenced to a 12 month Community Punishment Order to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work each, and each to pay £100 costs.

Since April this year, a further 14 offenders have been cautioned and 3 others have received administration penalties in relation to a total of £19,500 in fraudulently obtained benefits. Dover District Council always ensures that overpaid benefits are recovered.