Benefit fraudster told to cough up cash (From Sutton Guardian)
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Carshalton benefit fraudster Simon Young told to cough up cash
5:50pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter
Carshalton benefit fraudster told to cough up cash
A benefit fraudster must pay back thousands of pounds he wrongly claimed while working.
Simon Young, 42, of Carshalton Road, Sutton cheated taxpayers out of over £2,000 in council tax benefit and job seekers allowance which were given on the basis that he was not working and had no capital.
He appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on September 25 after he failed to tell Sutton Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that he had been working for four and a half months.
The court sentenced Young to complete a 100 hour community punishment order within twelve months, with an additional six month supervision order also in place.
Sutton Council is pursuing the payback of the money.
During an initial hearing, Young pleaded guilty to two offences of making false statements, or representations in order to obtain housing and council tax benefit from the council and job seekers allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions.
The magistrates gave Young credit for an early guilty plea during sentencing.
Young is the 17th person to be prosecuted since April this year following investigations by the council who are trying to claw back over £300,000 of identified overpayments from these cases and others that have avoided going to court.
Councillor Richard Clifton, lead councillor for revenues and benefits, said: "This is a great result for the borough, and shows our continued dedication to tackling benefit fraud in all its forms.
"This is money from the public purse and we have a duty to pursue benefit fraudsters. Through our close working with the Department of Work and Pensions we have successfully investigated and prosecuted cheats in our borough and will continue to do so for the benefit of our residents."
If you know someone claiming benefits they are not entitled to, contact the council's investigation team confidentially on 020 8770 5687 or visit sutton.gov.uk.
