main content Benefit fraudsters prosecuted

Two benefit fraudsters were recently sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 83 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “These prosecutions and the expectation of tougher sentences imposed by the courts, we hope, may act as a deterrent against fraudsters. It is our intention to carry on vigorously pursuing fraudsters as part of our zero tolerance on fraud.”

Danny Moyse , of Walworth, London, a landlord of a property in Carlton Parade, Orpington pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of benefits totalling £960. He carried on cashing housing benefit cheques in respect of a tenant who had left over a thirteen week period. He was sentenced to 60 hours community service and ordered to pay £150 costs.

Kelly Rayfield, 34, of St Mary Cray, Orpington pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling over £11,300 over a 10 month period to May 2006. She had failed to declare her employment. Ms Rayfield was sentenced to a 3 month electronic tag curfew order and ordered to pay £550 costs.

The Council is in the process of recovering the housing and council tax benefits overpayments 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. 
• This prosecution brings to 83 the number of prosecutions for the period April 2002 to mid December 2006.
• Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk