A BENEFIT cheat who defrauded the council and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of more than £10,700 has been sentenced to a 12 month community order involving 300 hours unpaid work.
John Buchanan, 47, of Brownhill Drive, Warrington must also repay the overpayments in full, including a £60 victim surcharge and £500 costs.
He appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to ten charges of benefit fraud.
Buchanan was claiming benefits but failed to inform the council and DWP about changes in circumstances including that he had started full time employment and had undeclared income.
He had falsely claimed £6,831 housing benefit and £2,263 council tax benefit/ council tax support from the council and £1,704 Jobseekers Allowance from the DWP.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits and exchequer services manager, said: “Every day in the UK over 200 benefit thieves are caught – the clear message is – if you commit benefit fraud you will be caught.”
Anyone who suspects someone is fraudulently claiming benefits to which they are not entitled is asked to call the council’s confidential benefit fraud hotline on 01925 442282 / 442283 or email [email protected].
Benefit cheat caught and sentenced
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
