News Centre

09 Sep 2008 (archived)

Prison sentence for benefit cheat

A Witney man who falsely claimed benefits totalling £6,905.52 has been given a prison sentence.

Mark Churchill, 39 of Wadards Meadow, Witney, pleaded guilty for fraudulently obtaining Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Incapacity benefit. His claim had been false from the start as he had been working at the same time as getting benefits.

The prosecution was brought to court by West Oxfordshire District Council and The Department for Work and Pension at Oxford Magistrates Court on 13 June 2008.

Churchill was arrested on 2 September 2008 for failing to attend Court. That day he was given a twelve week prison sentence for the benefit offences and a further twelve week prison sentence for breaching conditions from a previous offence.

On his release the Council will seek to recover the outstanding amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit which has been fraudulently obtained.

Cllr Simon Hoare, Cabinet Member for Finance at West Oxfordshire District Council said, "People who are obtaining benefit money fraudulently need to understand they are taking public money which could be put to better use or given to those in genuine need A prison sentence for Benefit Fraud shows just how seriously the courts are now taking this matter and I hope it will be a deterrent to anyone else considering taking money they are not entitled to."

A confidential Benefit Fraud HOTLINE (01993 861234) is available for people to report anyone they know who is committing benefit fraud. Contact can also be made through the council website using the Report Suspected Benefit Fraud form.

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