On Friday 11 January 2008, at Peterborough Crown Court, Michael Getchell (52) of High Street, Ramsey was sentenced following guilty pleas to six counts of benefit fraud between 2002 and 2005.

The court heard from the Robert Benzynie, for Huntingdonshire District Council, that Getchell had claimed housing and council tax benefit between January 2002 and November 2005. On five claims for benefit made by him between those dates he dishonestly failed to declare that he was running a business called Abbey Conservatories and that he had bank accounts that he had not declared when he made his claims.  During the period he was paid  £19,333 in housing and council tax benefit.

The information about Getchell’s circumstances came to light following a tip-off to the council’s fraud team which conducted an investigation and uncovered details of the business and bank accounts. 
The court heard that he had  been prosecuted in 2001 for similar matters when he had worked while claiming benefit.

Getchell was sentenced to 160 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay Huntingdonshire District Council £19,233.63 in compensation for the overpaid benefits and £1,000 prosecution costs.

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. You can also report fraud by sending an e-mail to the link on the right or by visiting the Councils website Huntsdc.gov .uk  When calling 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 and treated in the strictest confidence.