Record fine for benefit fraudster

A Swanley man who deliberately mislead Council benefit staff to claim over £7,000 that he was not entitled to received a record fine at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court last Wednesday (27 February).

Mr Colin Anderson, 56, of Bonney Way in Swanley pleaded guilty to two charges of making false statements in relation to his capital holdings when claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit from Sevenoaks District Council.

At court Mr Anderson was fined £2,000, the largest fine yet for a benefit fraud case brought about by Sevenoaks District Council, and was also asked to pay costs of £274.03.

He has already paid back all of the Housing Benefit he falsely claimed.

The case came to light after an investigation conducted by the Council's Fraud and Control Team proved that Mr Anderson had deliberately not told the Housing Benefit Department about certain bank accounts as they contained money which would have excluded the claimant from receiving assistance.

As a result of his actions Mr Anderson received £5,355.26 Housing Benefit and £1,646.75 Council Tax Benefit which he knew he was not entitled to. 

Councillor Brian Ramsay, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, said: “This fine, the largest yet for a case brought about by the Council, reflects just how serious a crime benefit fraud is, and proves that we and the courts are getting tough with benefit fraudsters.

“Cheats don’t prosper and we will do all we can to catch people claiming money they shouldn’t.”

If the public has any information relating to benefit fraud, they can call Sevenoaks District Council's confidential benefit fraud hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 01732 227 445.