Benefit cheat tagged
A Harlow resident who claimed more than £8,000
in benefit and £9,000 in income support to which he was not
entitled for more than two years is to wear an electronic tag as a
punishment for his crime.
Mr Stephen Pavitt (53) of Hookfield failed to
tell the Council that his wife had started full time employment and
that he had a lodger paying rent despite claiming Housing and
Council Tax benefit.
Between March 2005 and June 2007 he received
£6,335.43 in housing benefit and £2,038.83 in Council Tax. At the
same time he also received £9,100.25 in Income Support.
Yesterday (8 June) in a joint case bought by
Harlow Council and the Department of Work & Pensions at
Chelmsford Crown Court, Mr Pavitt pleaded guilty on two counts of
failing to notify the authorities of a change of circumstances.
He was given two six months sentences,
suspended for 18 months and an electronic tag curfew from 7pm to
7am for three months. He also has to attend an education training
course for 25 days, pay £500 in costs and repay the overpaid money
back.
Councillor Simon Carter, Chairman of the
Council’s Policy & Resources Committee, said: “Harlow Council
takes benefit fraud extremely seriously. Making false benefit
claims is effectively stealing money from taxpayers. Benefit fraud
is a serious crime and along with other fraud carries severe
penalties.
“Harlow Council will always prosecute
jointly with other agencies anyone who tries to take advantage of a
system that is designed to help those who are most in need. It’s
important that people contact the Council when their circumstances
change as this could affect the benefits they are receiving. In
some cases people could be entitled to more benefit.”
Benefit fraud can be reported to the Council,
anonymously on (01279) 446474 or (01279) 446655 or by email at
fraud@harlow.gov.uk
If the circumstances of residents claiming
housing or council tax benefit change they must tell the Council
otherwise they could be committing benefit fraud.
Ends
Case background: Mr Pavitt attended Harlow
Magistrates on 13 January 2009 where he pleaded not guilty to two
charges of failing to notify in the prescribed manner a change of
circumstances. The case was adjourned to 27 April 2009 when he
pleaded not guilty. He was offered a ‘goodyear’ decision (meaning
if he pleads Guilty he will not receive a prison sentence) he
accepted this and went back on 8 June 2009. He pleaded guilty on
two counts to failing to notify in the prescribed manner a change
of circumstances.