A joint investigation between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Gosport Borough Council nearly resulted in a jail sentence for one woman at Fareham Magistrates Court.
Sarah Webb (39) formerly of Ensign Drive, Gosport, pleaded guilty to 3 offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 in that she had dishonestly, falsely failed to notify DWP or Gosport Borough Council that she was working. This resulted in an overpayment of over £15,000 in Income Support and Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
Webb was sentenced to 4 months custody, suspended for 12 months. She must also complete 200 hours unpaid work in the community and pay back all outstanding overpayments to both the DWP and Gosport Borough Council
Paul Hand, (33) formerly of Sunbeam Way, Gosport, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court as a result of a further joint working investigation between the Council and the DWP. Hand pleaded guilty to 7 offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992, in that he had dishonestly, falsely claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance by failing to inform Gosport Borough Council or the Department for Work and Pensions that he had commenced employment.
Continuing to claim benefit he was not entitled to and his failure to report his employment resulted in Hand receiving a total overpayment of more than £1,000 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance.
Hand was sentenced to 150 hours community service and must repay the overpayment back to the DWP and Gosport Borough Council.
If you believe you know someone is receiving benefit to which they are not entitled, then do the right thing and Call the 24-hour Benefit Investigation Hotline Tel: 023 92 545 545. All information received is treated in the strictest confidence.
|
|
