Benefit fraudster ordered to hand back thousands of pounds to council

A Littleport man has been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds to East Cambridgeshire District Council after admitting benefit fraud.

Paul Day, 53, of Wisbech Road, pleaded guilty to falsely claiming £17,732.22 in housing and council tax benefit at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard how, in August 2010, Mr Day made a claim for housing and council tax benefit on the basis that he was unemployed and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance.

He then failed to declare to the council that his situation had changed after he took up full time employment in November 2010.

Mr Day was sentenced to a 12 month community order, 120 hours unpaid work and £400 costs. He will also have to pay back the money he falsely claimed.

The fraud was identified using data from Revenue and Customs which matched Mr Day’s National Insurance number to income tax being paid for employment.

Linda Grinnell, financial services manager at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Benefit fraud is a very serious crime – with the taxpayer ending up paying for those who try to cheat the system. This is why it is so important that we catch those who attempt to defraud the council and you as a resident.

“The sentence handed out by Cambridge Magistrates should act as a real deterrent to anyone who thinks they can get away with claiming money they are not entitled to.”

If you suspect someone is fraudulently claiming benefits, call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340.