Benefit fraudsters caught out

Last week (Friday 19 February) Northampton Magistrate's Court found two Northampton residents guilty of dishonestly claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

In two separate cases the court heard that Mr Abdirahman Abdow had dishonestly claimed over £850 and Mrs Pamela Gill had dishonestly claimed over £8,000.

The Court heard Mrs Pamela Gill (age 67) of Little Lane, Great Houghton plead guilty to dishonestly claiming over £8,000 in benefits she was not entitled to. The Court handed Mrs Gill the sentence of a two-year conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £400 costs. She must also repay the overpaid benefits.

The case was brought to Court by Northampton Borough Council's benefit fraud team. An investigation was launched when benefits officers at the Borough Council checked Mrs Gill's claim.

Officers working on the case uncovered evidence showing that Mrs Gill had failed to declare she had over £20,000 in savings. For over four years Mrs Gill had been dishonestly claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

From April 2005 until May 2009 Mrs Gill dishonestly claimed £6,277.66 in Housing Benefit and £2,196.03 in Council Tax Benefit.

In a separate case, Mr Abdow (age 51) of Clare Street, Northampton was found guilty in his absence and ordered to pay a £350 fine, £50 costs and £15 Victim Surcharge by Northampton Magistrate's Court. He will also repay the overpaid benefits.

The case was brought to court by Northampton Borough Council's benefit fraud team. An investigation was started in October 2009 when the Borough Council received information that Mr Abdow was receiving Tax Credits that he had not declared to the Council.

Officers working on the case uncovered evidence showing that Mr Abdow had failed to declare he had received over £2,000 in Tax Credits. When interviewed under caution Mr Abdow admitted he knew he should have declared the Tax Credit. For almost seven months Mr Abdow had been dishonestly claiming Council Tax Benefit.

From March 2009 until November 2009 Mr Abdow dishonestly claimed £861.87 in Council Tax Benefit.

Councillor David Perkins, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for finance said: "Benefit fraud is stealing money intended to help the town's most vulnerable residents. Remember every fraud means each resident of Northampton has to pay more. This is dishonest and cannot be tolerated. Northampton Borough Council will continue to take action against anyone who tries to cheat or scam the system to get benefits they aren't entitled to."

If you suspect someone is fraudulently claiming benefits please call the council's confidential benefit fraud hotline on 01604 837320 or email reportfraud@northampton.gov.uk.

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