main content Benefit fraudster prosecuted

A benefit fraudster was recently sentenced at Croydon Crown Court bringing the total prosecuted to 96 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “This latest prosecution is further evidence of our resolve to vigorously pursue fraudsters as part of our zero tolerance on fraud. This case also highlights our working with other agencies to pursue fraudsters.”

Lorraine Plomer-Roberts, 44, of Croydon Road, Penge pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department of Work and Pensions of housing benefits, council tax benefits and income support over £11,686 for a period 1998 to 2005. The case was identified as part of the National Fraud Initiative that matches data across public authorities and was jointly investigated with the Department of Work and Pensions. She had failed to declare that she was in receipt of an occupational pension from another authority. She was sentenced on the 9th March 2007 to an eight month prison sentence suspended for a year.

The Council is in the process of recovering the benefit overpayments in this case.

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 96 the number of prosecutions for the period April 2002 to the end of March 2007.