On Wednesday 25 January 2006 at Huntingdon Magistrates courts four cases of benefit fraud were heard. These cases were brought by Huntingdonshire District Council and related to claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit.
Vicki Stevens, prosecuting for the council presented four cases of fraudulent claims for benefit. Joyce Nyante (43) of Greenfields, St Ives, pleaded guilty to one charge that between November 2003 and March 2005 she failed to tell the council that her husband’s wages had increased to such a level that they were no longer entitled to housing or council tax benefit. Miss Stevens told the court that as a result of Mrs Nyante’s failure to report the correct level of her husband’s wages she had been overpaid a total of £4,393.92.
Frank Squires, for Mrs Nyante said that his client was of previous good character and had made a full admission to the offences, she had also made arrangements to repay the whole amount to the council. Nyante was fined £200 and ordered to pay the council’s costs of £200.
The court heard that Martin Soden (46) of Ash Close, Huntingdon had claimed benefit whilst he ran a paragliding business between 2004 and 2005. Soden was overpaid £3,902.66 in benefits between April 2004 and May 2005. His sentence was adjourned to 15 February for reports. He entered a guilty plea to the charges brought by the council.
Deborah Gillespie (27) of Walnut Tree Drive, Huntingdon pleaded guilty to charges that between April 2003 and February 2005 she claimed benefit that she was not entitled to. The court was told that she had claimed benefit as an unemployed single parent but that her husband had lived with her throughout her claims and both had worked. In mitigation Frank Squires for Gillespie said that her marriage had been turbulent and that as a result all four of their children had been taken into care. He added that the couple had since reconciled and hoped that the children would be able to return home soon. The court heard that Gillepsie had been overpaid £6,292.27 between 2003 and 2005 and decided that a report should be produced before they decided on sentence on 15 February 2006.
In the fourth case to be heard Miss Stevens said that Brian O’Driscoll (62) formerly of Bedford Street, St Neots and now residing at Oak Tree Court Godmanchester had made arrangements to pay back benefit of £5,344.28 he had claimed and that his case should be adjourned to 8 February 2006 to ensure that payments were made before the court heard the case in full and made a decision on sentencing.
If you know someone who is claiming benefit when they are not entitled to it you can contact the Fraud Investigation Team on 01480 388480 or call the 24 hour confidential Fraud Hot Line on 01480 388188. When calling either number please leave as much information as possible to ensure that the council is aware of the full facts before an investigation commences. All calls received will be dealt with.