A man has been fined £100 and ordered to repay the £2,800 he
claimed fraudulently in benefits.
Rory Manning, (28), of Greenham, Bretton, Peterborough, appeared
before Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 3 April 2012.
The court heard that Manning claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit on
the basis that he had a job and received additional tax credits for
himself and his partner.
Peterborough City Council's benefit fraud team received
information from colleagues in the city council's benefits team
stating that Manning had started a new job in 2010 and was earning
significantly more than he had previously declared.
Following an investigation by the city council's benefit fraud
team it came to light that Manning had, in fact, earned a higher
income for almost a year. He was invited to attend interviews to
discuss the matter but failed to attend.
As a result of his failure to notify Peterborough City Council
of a change in his circumstances Manning was overpaid £2,292
housing benefit and £506 council tax benefit.
Manning did not attend when the case was heard at Peterborough
Magistrates' Court on 13 March 2012, however the case was proven in
his absence. He attended court on Tuesday (3 April 2012) where he
was fined £100, ordered to repay costs of £100 and a victim
surcharge of £15. He will also have to repay the overpaid
benefit.
Ben Stevenson, Peterborough City Council's Compliance Manager,
said: "Fraud affects taxpayers and the economy and the honest
majority have to pay for the adverse effect on public services. We
urge any member of the public who believes that someone is
committing an offence to contact us. All referrals will be treated
in the strictest of confidence."
Anyone wishing to report suspicions of benefit fraud can report it online, call
the city council's hotline in confidence on (01733) 452250 or email
fraud@peterborough.gov.uk.
Ends.