Ludlow man prosecuted for benefit fraud

A Ludlow man pleaded guilty to housing benefit and council tax benefit offences at Telford Magistrates Court on 13 June 2011. 

John Titterton claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit but failed to tell Shropshire Council that he had returned to work.  This meant that between 3 December 2007 and 14 March 2010 he received over £9,600 of housing benefit and council tax benefit that he was not entitled to. 

The court sentenced him to three years conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £200 costs to Shropshire Council. 

The case was investigated by Shropshire Council’s investigation team and the prosecution was brought by Shropshire 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 we won’t hesitate to take legal action against those who try and defraud the benefits system which exists to help those in need.” 

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.