2 July 2008: Housing and Council Tax Benefit fraud case prosecuted by Lewes District Council

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Mr Mark Pollard of Hillside, Newhaven was prosecuted for failing to notify Lewes District Council that he had started work in February 2006. Housing Benefit of £1424.00 was paid to which he had no entitlement covering the period from 13 February 2006 to 5 June 2006.

Information that his Jobseeker’s Allowance had ended prompted the investigation into his current income details whereby it was found that he had started work.  Mr Pollard was given the opportunity to explain the situation and was invited in for an interview under caution at the Council Offices on several occasions, he failed to attend.  A prosecution was arranged.

Mr Pollard pleaded not guilty at Lewes Magistrates Court on Tuesday 24 June 2008 but was found guilty.  He was sentenced on 30 June to a community punishment order of 12 months consisting of 80 hours unpaid work.  He was also ordered to pay a contribution towards the costs of £500.  In addition to this he will also be required to repay the benefit to which he had no entitlement.

Lewes District Council’s anti fraud section investigated over 200 cases of suspected benefit fraud last year. Where fraud is established, the Council always considers prosecuting, in order to protect public funds and stop further abuse of the benefits system.

We encourage the public to identify fraudulent cases by calling our Fraud Hotline on 01273 484067 (24 hour answer machine), or our Investigation Section on 01273 484065, or by e mailing fraud.section@lewes.gov.uk. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

The types of fraud investigated include:
• People who say they are living alone but are not,
• People who say they are not working but are,
• People who fail to declare fully their income and capital,
• False tenancies and failing to advise the Council of changes in circumstances.

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Media enquiries to Liz Lacon, Communications Manager