Derek Lamb claimed £31,000 he wasn't entitled to
A 58-year old man from Brentford will be spending Christmas behind bars after being convicted for benefit fraud.
Derek Lamb, of Boston Manor Road, was sentenced at Feltham Magistrate’s Court on Friday (28 November) after pleading guilty to benefit fraud worth more than £31,000
Cllr Gerald McGregor, lead member for finance at the council said, “People who commit fraud might believe they are not harming anyone, but they are taking money from those who genuinely need it.
“It is distressing when a fraud continues and the funds stolen mount up in this way, but if anyone thinks they can get away with it, the message is simple - you will be caught and you will have to repay the money you stole. So well done our fraud team!
“Remember it is a civic duty to for anyone who knows of someone that is committing this kind of fraud to come forward. More and more people are doing so. They can contact us confidentially so that together we can put an early stop to this abuse of the system.”
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Anti-fraud Minister Tony McNulty said, "Benefit thieves have to understand that they will not get away with it. Working together with local authorities and the police we have a strong range of powers to investigate and with the support of the public we bring benefit thieves to justice."
The case was brought by the London Borough of Hounslow’s fraud team and the DWP after the council received information indicating that Lamb had been falsely claiming benefits.
He had been claiming benefits as a single person but was in fact living with his partner who was working full time. This undeclared change in his circumstances affected his benefit claims.
As a result of his actions Lamb falsely claimed £17,929.06 in housing benefit, £3,502.26 in council tax benefit and £10,259.10 in income support between January 2003 and September 2006 - £31,690.42 in total.
Lamb was charged with three offences under Section 111A (1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 relating to his failing to notify the council he was living with his partner while claiming he was a single person.
He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison. He also has to repay the benefit he claimed falsely.
To confidentially report your suspicions or knowledge of benefit fraud you may contact the council’s fraud team on 020 8583 2111.
December 5, 2008