main content Four benefit fraudsters convicted

Four benefit fraudsters were found guilty at Bromley Magistrates Court, three on the 29th March and one on the 31st March 2006 bringing the total prosecuted to 63 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

A Council spokesperson said that these four prosecutions emphasised the continued resolve to vigorously pursue fraudsters as part of the Council’s zero tolerance on fraud.”

Petra Harvey, 33, formerly of Scotts Lane, Bromley, was, at her trial on the 31st March 2006, found guilty of defrauding Bromley Council of benefits totalling over £1,700. She was sentenced to a Conditional Discharge and ordered to pay costs.

Janet Hassib, 36, of Wiverton Road ,Penge , pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of benefits totalling over £4,500. She was sentenced to a fine and ordered to pay costs.

Roy Taylor, 36, of Sandpiper Way, Orpington, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of benefits totalling over £4,000. He was sentenced to a Community Punishment Order.

Vanessa Wood, 45, of Okemore Gardens, St Paul’s Cray pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of benefits totalling over £5,000. She was sentenced to a Community Punishment Order and ordered to pay costs.

The Council is in the process of recovering the overpayment of benefits in these cases.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• For media enquiries, please contact Luis Remedios on 020 8313 4886 or email luis.remedios@bromley.gov.uk.
• Anyone with any information about a suspected benefit fraud should contact (in strict confidence) the Fraud Hotline on 0800 169 6975. 
• Bromley Council works in partnership with Greenwich Council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team. 
• These prosecutions brings to 63 the number of prosecutions for the period to 31st March 2006. We have also been able to claim back over £330,000 in reward money for prosecutions, cautions, summonses and administrative penalties over 48 months.