Benefit fraudster fined after council investigation

A 30-year-old Broseley man who falsely claimed more than £4,000 in housing benefit has been fined by magistrates after an investigation by Shropshire Council.

Jason Maddox was convicted at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday 21 March 2011, of two offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

He pleaded guilty to failing to promptly notify the council’s benefits department that he had started work, and that his income was too high to qualify for housing benefit.  He continued to receive housing benefit payments into his bank account after he started work.

Maddox was overpaid housing benefit amounting to £4,255.59, which is currently being recovered by Shropshire Council. Magistrates ordered him to pay fines and costs totalling £485.

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

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

“We take benefit fraud very seriously and won’t hesitate to take legal action whenever necessary.”

Shropshire Council encourages people 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.