Shropshire Council bosses in warning to benefit cheats
Council chiefs today warned benefit fraud will "not be tolerated" after three people – including a husband and wife – wrongly claimed more than £12,000 in welfare payments.
Shropshire Council bosses said benefit cheats were undermining the effectiveness of the county welfare system.
The warning comes after two prosecutions on July 26 and August 2 involving 65-year-old Trevor Crowther, of Church Stretton, and Karen and Mark Harris, a Shrewsbury couple in their early 50s.
Crowther failed to give notification that his average earnings had risen which meant that between September 2009 and July 2012 he pocketed more than £7,750. After pleading guilty at Telford Magistrates Court, he was given a two-year conditional discharge with £150 costs.
Karen and Mark Harris claimed housing and council tax benefit, but failed to disclose increases in Mrs Harris' earnings and Mr Harris' new job.
This meant that between July 2010 and July 2012 they wrongly claimed around £4,850.
They admitted the charge at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court and were given fines of £55 and £150 respectively.
