Successful prosecution of benefit fraud

A man who dishonestly claimed more than £2,000 of housing benefit and council tax benefit was sentenced at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court.

Scott Harris, 31, formerly of Shaw Road, Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty on Friday 28 January to housing benefit and council tax benefit offences.

He claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but dishonestly failed to tell Shropshire Council that there had been a change to his household income. This meant that between 21 November 2008 and 17 January 2010 he received more than £2,000 of housing benefit and council tax benefit that he was not entitled to.

The court sentenced him to a two year conditional discharge.

The case was investigated by Shropshire Council’s investigation team and the prosecution was brought by the council.

Council Leader, Keith Barrow, who is also Cabinet member for resources and finance, said:

“Housing benefit and council tax benefit are funded by the taxpayer and Shropshire Council has a duty to protect this money.

“It is important that we take benefit fraud very seriously, and take appropriate action against those who try and defraud the benefits system which exists to help those in need.”

People are encouraged to contact the Fraud Hotline on 0345 678 9033 or the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340 if they have any suspicions about benefit fraud being committed.