A BENEFIT cheat from Warrington was sentenced to 120 hours community punishment order and made to pay £500 costs.
Lee Gemmell aged 34, of Vulcan Close, Padgate, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of claiming benefits by deception after failing to notify the council of a change of circumstances, namely that he was living with his partner at Harbord Street, Warrington.
He was overpaid a total of £6,544, comprising £2,676 Income Support, £2,995 Housing Benefit and £873 Council Tax Benefit.
Mr Gemmell was ordered to repay the overpayment to Warrington Borough Council.
Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. All benefit theft is crime and the council is determined to bring fraudsters to justice.”
Anyone who suspects someone is fraudulently claiming benefits is urged to call the council’s confidential benefit fraud hotline on 442282 / 442283 or email [email protected]
A BENEFIT cheat from Warrington was sentenced to 120 hours community punishment order and made to pay £500 costs.
Benefit cheat obtained £6,500
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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.
