Telford man avoids jail over £18,000 benefits fraud
A Telford man who was renting out his mother’s house for £550 a month has been convicted of fraudulently claiming nearly £18,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.
Cameron Wilkie, 46, admitted to dishonestly making false statements in order to claim benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Wilkie, of St Georges, was given a 20-week jail sentence, which was suspended for a year, when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Prosecuting barrister, Mr Duncan Craig, said Wilkie failed to declare that he owned a property in Dudley.
He was picking up £550 per month in rent payments from the home, the court was told.
The house belonged to his mother, who lives in the Isle of Man, and was transferred into Wilkie’s name.
Mr Craig added: “He believed he was holding it until his mother died.
“The income he received he saw as his family helping him out.”
Wilkie was told that he must pay the full amount of fraudulently claimed money back until the matter is resolved.
Judge John Gosling said: “You own that house in Dudley and you got the interest from it in 2015.
“You should have notified the Department for Work and Pensions.
“You have never been in trouble before but making false declarations is a serious matter.
“You have agreed to repay the money but you can’t buy your way out of a prison sentence with money.”
Wilkie’s sentence was suspended for 12 months.
He was ordered to repay the remainder of the money, which totalled £10,527.79.
Wilkie must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
