Magistrates have found a Haverhill man guilty of benefits fraud. Simon Whitworth, who pleaded guilty, was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay full costs of £218.75
St Edmundsbury Borough Council brought the prosecution against Mr Whitworth, (born 25/03/1966), of Belmont Court, Haverhill, on Friday 26 September at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court. The charges were that:
1. Between 20/02/07 and 05/12/07 he dishonestly failed to notify a change of circumstances, namely that he was in self employed work with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment or advantage under Social Security Legislation, contrary to Section 111A(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by Section 16 of the Social Security Administration Act 1997.
2. Between 05/05/07 and 05/12/07 he dishonestly failed to notify a change of circumstances, namely that his wife was employed by Compass group UK with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment or advantage under Social Security Legislation, contrary to Section 111A(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by Section 16 of the Social Security Administration Act 1997.
3. Between 22/05/07 and 05/12/07 he dishonestly failed to notify a change of circumstances, namely that his wife was employed by Royal Mail Group with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment or advantage under Social Security Legislation, contrary to Section 111A(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by Section 16 of the Social Security Administration Act 1997.
On 20/02/07 Mr Whitworth submitted a claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefits to St Edmundsbury Borough Council. No work was declared for Mr Whitworth or his wife, Mrs Simon.
On 05/05/07 Mrs Simon commenced employment by Compass Group. This work was not declared.
On 22/05/07 Mrs Simon commenced employment by Royal Mail Group. This work was not declared.
On 05/12/07 Mr Whitworth was interviewed under caution by Benefit Fraud Investigators. Mr Whitworth admitted that his wife had been employed by Royal Mail and volunteered that she had also worked for Compass Group. Mr Whitworth admitted that he had not declared either of these jobs.
Mr Whitworth also admitted that had been working on a self employed basis whilst claiming benefit and had not declared the work.
In mitigation, Mr Whitworth told the Court that it had been a very difficult year for his business and that he had been ‘confused by the system’. He also told the Court that he made a full admission during the interview under caution and had offered to repay the benefit overpayments which are being repaid at £100 per month.
As a result of the alleged offences being committed there have been overpayments of £2711.26 Housing Benefit and £283.07 Council Tax Benefit making a total of £2994.33 Benefit overpaid.
Ends
Issued By Sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Phone: 01284 757046 email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
