Community service for benefit cheat

Archived press release

Date Published: 16/01/09

A benefit cheat who defrauded Aylesbury Vale District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of more than £3,000 has been sentenced to 200 hours community service.

Robert Ryan, of Vale House, in Aylesbury, was claiming housing and council tax benefit and income support when he was working cash in hand for a local removals company.

Mr Ryan defrauded the council of £458.18 housing benefit and £140.99 council tax benefit and the DWP of £2,732.35 income support.

The 40 year-old was sentenced at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 6 January after pleading guilty to benefit fraud. Mr Ryan was also ordered to pay £100 legal costs.

The case was jointly investigated by the council and the DWP. AVDC is committed to tackling benefit fraud and, by jointly working with government agencies, it is able to share intelligence in order to make cheating the system harder to do.

Councillor Margaret Morgan-Owen, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Working whilst claiming benefits is a crime and the consequences are serious. Others who think they will get away with it should take note of cases like this. Anyone found to be cheating the system in this way will be prosecuted.”

Deputy Anti Fraud Minister Tony McNulty said: “Benefit thieves have to understand that they will not get away with it. Working together with local authorities and the police, we have a strong range of powers to investigate and with the support of the public we bring benefit thieves to justice.”

Anyone with good reason to suspect that a benefit fraud is being committed in Aylesbury Vale can provide details, anonymously if necessary, by calling 01296 585570 or alternatively by email to benefits@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk