Southery: Stole 12K in benefits
A SOUTHERY man has been given a suspended prison sentence for fraudulently claiming more than £12,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.
Tony Cowell, of Lynn Road, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday and admitted six charges of dishonestly providing false documentation in order to obtain housing and council tax benefit.
The court was told he had been claiming while receiving a private pension he did not declare, and was overpaid by £12,597.22. He was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years.
Speaking after the case, Sarah Chapman, on behalf of West Norfolk Council's benefits enquiry unit, said: "Making false claims for benefits like housing and council tax benefit costs taxpayers in Great Britain around £2 billion a year – money that could have been spent by local councils and other Government agencies providing essential services."
"We would encourage members of the public to report instances of fraud to our trained investigators by ringing the free phone hotline on 0800 281 879."
The full article contains 172 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
20 May 2008 10:54 AM
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
King's Lynn
