Benefit cheat handed community service

Archived press release

Date Published: 18/01/10

A man who cashed nearly £8,000 in benefits he was not entitled to has been sentenced.

Mark White, of Great Horwood High Street, was given 40 hours community service when he appeared before Milton Keynes’ Magistrates Court on 13 January for benefit fraud.

Mr White had failed to declare to Aylesbury Vale District Council that he had been in employment and obtained £7,244.34 housing benefit, £543.01 council tax benefit and £46.50 income support to which he was not entitled.

Details of Mr White’s work were obtained and an investigation was made by AVDC and the Department for Work and Pensions.

He was ordered to pay back the overpayments and £100 court costs in order to alleviate the cost of the investigation and prosecution from council tax payers.

Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Benefit cheats are stealing money that is intended to help people in real need. This is grossly dishonest and the council will continue to take action against anyone who cheats the system by getting benefits to which they are not entitled.”

Residents should report cases of suspected fraud in confidence to the council’s fraud investigation team 24-hour hotline on 01296 585570, or by visiting the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk