Council renews benefit fraud crackdown after prosecutions

Hull Council is taking a “zero tolerance” approach to benefit fraud and said offenders would get no sympathy from the public at a time of swingeing public spending cuts that are forcing some council services to be axed or reduced.

The announcement follows two successful prosecutions that have just been dealt with by the courts.

Investigators from the council and the Department for Work and pensions found that Kate McNeil, of Ancaster Avenue, Hull, fraudulently claimed almost £3,700 in housing and council tax benefits and income support by failing to declare her earnings.

McNeil, 38, failed to declare she had been working and earning between £290 and £2,082 per month, resulting on overpayment of benefits totalling £3,699.08 between August 1, 2008, and March 17, 2009.

She admitted two offences of dishonesty under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 when she appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court, was fined £75, and ordered to pay £75 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

McNeil must also pay back the money she falsely claimed.

In a second case, Nicola Borer, of De La Pole Avenue, Hull, was prosecuted after failing to declare she was living with her partner who was in full-time employment while she was claiming benefits.

As a result, investigators found Borer was overpaid council tax benefits and income support totalling £4,930.90 between July 10, 2006, and September 25, 2007.

The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to offences of dishonesty under the same legislation, and one of dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit under the Theft Act 1968.

Borer was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years at Hull Crown Court, and must also pay the money back.

Andy Sims, the council’s benefits manager, said: “The sentence handed out demonstrates just how serious the crime of benefit fraud is.

“With money available to public services reducing there is a need to address those areas where money is being wasted.

“There is no greater waste of public finds than benefits being paid to those that are not entitled to them.

“Public services are faced with making difficult decisions about how they will use finances made available to them to deliver essential services.

“Benefit fraud impacts on the amount of money available, which limits opportunities to provide services that are of real value to communities.”

Mr Sims said public attitudes towards such offences were hardening.

He said: “Benefit fraud used to be seen as a victimless crime but the public are realising in these hard times that nothing could be further from the truth. Benefit fraud has a negative impact on everyone other then the thieves and opportunists that commit the crimes.”

The council has secured 37 prosecutions over the last financial year – a record number – and dealt with a further 105 cases under powers it has to issue fines and cautions.

It has had a dedicated fraud unit since 1995 and now has 11 officers working on cases. Seven of these are involved in gathering and assessing evidence, while a further three specially trained officers interview suspected fraudsters under caution. Another officer concentrates on preparing cases for court or for those that are being enforced by the council.

The council can impose a fine of 30 per cent of the total that has been fraudulently claimed.

The maximum sentence the courts can impose is a seven-year prison sentence, and/or and unlimited fine.

Mr Sims added: “Forty-one thousand people claim housing and council tax benefit in Hull and the majority are genuine claims. It’s the small minority who commit fraud and believe the benefits system is an easy target.”