Date: 08/06/2009
A Hayfield man who claimed Housing Benefit even though he was working has been fined and told to pay costs.
At Buxton Magistrates' Court on Friday 29 May, Edward O'Donnell, aged 40, of New Mills Road, pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud.
The court heard that, between 3 March and 19 October 2008, O'Donnell had fraudulently obtained Housing Benefit of £2,208.64 and Council Tax Benefit of £418.16 because he failed to disclose that he had started full-time work.
O'Donnell was interviewed under caution and admitted that, although he had ceased claiming Job Seekers' Allowance, he had failed to notify High Peak Borough Council that he had started work and, as a result, had been receiving benefit to which he knew he was not entitled.
The court fined O'Donnell £75, reduced to £50 due to his guilty plea, and ordered him to pay £144 costs plus a victim surcharge of £15. In the last financial year, the council prosecuted four people and sanctioned a further 46 prosecutions.
The prosecution was welcomed by Cllr Emily Thrane, deputy council leader and executive member for corporate services.
"This successful prosecution sends out a clear message that we won't tolerate benefit cheats who swindle the honest, hard-working taxpayer by obtaining money to which they're not entitled. We'll leave no stone unturned in our battle to bring fraudsters to book", she warned.