Payment order on benefits cheat

Denis Petch, of Pomona Way, Driffield, fraudulently claimed £5,484.70 in housing and council tax benefits between February and December last year after failing to declare he was working.

Petch claimed to be unemployed, but an investigation was launched after East Riding Council received a report suggesting he was working full-time, and he was found to be working as a sub-contractor for a logistics firm.

Petch admitted benefit fraud when he appeared before magistrates in Bridlington and was ordered to repay the money he wrongly claimed, plus £345 in costs. He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Council sanctions officer Richard Johnson said: “Those who choose to deliberately obtain benefit dishonestly should be aware that it is only a matter of time before they are brought before the courts. Taxpayers are the victims of benefit fraud and I urge East Riding residents to report their suspicions to the authority.”

Suspected benefit fraud in the East Riding can be reported by calling a 24-hour hotline in confidence on (01482) 394949.