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Benefit fraud cases
Two people have been convicted
of benefit fraud and sentenced to a total of 230 hours of community
service.
The cases were brought by Scarborough
Borough Council after investigation by counter-fraud teams from the
council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Appearing at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court
on 26 October, Richard Scotter, 64, of Victoria Road, pleaded
guilty to three charges of dishonesty for failing to declare work
and a works pension between June 2010 and April 2011.
He was paid £4096.80 in housing benefit,
council tax benefit and pension credit. The court heard he had
repaid the council in full and is repaying the Department for Work
and Pensions at a weekly rate.
Scotter was ordered to undertake 80 hours
of community service and pay £50 costs to the council.
On the same day in court, Susan Dewhirst,
of Westwood Gardens, admitted making a false statement to both
agencies in 2011.
Dewhirst, 65, deliberately concealed
ownership of a property and was paid £4791.72 in housing benefit,
council tax benefit and pension credit.
Magistrates sentenced Dewhirst to 150 hours
of community service and ordered her to pay compensation of £2480
with £150 costs to the council.
Council Strategic Director, Hilary Jones, said: “These are
very difficult times financially for everyone. However, deliberate
fraud is theft. Fraud is an unacceptable attack on public funds
which could otherwise be used to pay for services and projects for
the community.”