main content Benefit Fraud Prosecutions 31st May 2007

Two benefit fraudsters were recently sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 105 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “These prosecutions clearly indicate our intention to vigorously pursue fraudsters as part of our zero tolerance on fraud and protection of public funds.”

David Coles, 46, of Penge Road, Penge pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing benefit totalling £2,000 over a three month period to January 2007. He had failed to notify Bromley Council that his job seekers allowance had ceased. He was sentenced on the 23rd May 2007 to a 12 month conditional discharge and had £350 costs awarded to Bromley Council.

Gillian Pearce, 56, of Gladstone Road, Farnborough, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of council tax benefit totalling £3,400 over a six year period between 2001 and 2007. She had failed to declare capital that she held in various accounts. She was sentenced on the 23rd May 2007 to a £750 fine and had £350 costs awarded to Bromley Council.

The Council is in the process of recovering the overpayment of benefit in both cases.

ENDS


Notes to editors: 

• Anyone with 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. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Luis Remedios, Audit Manager, on 020 8313 4886 or email luis.remedios@bromley.gov.uk