main content Benefit fraudster prosecuted 15 November 2007

A benefit fraudster was sentenced recently at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 131 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “This prosecution arose out of data matching which emphasises our willingness to use technology where necessary to detect fraud and ultimately to vigorously pursue fraudsters. Together with tougher sentences imposed by the courts, we hope that this will have a deterrent effect.”

Margaret Simpson, 56, of Barham Road, Chislehurst, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling £12,719 over a period May 2004 to February 2007. She had failed to declare that she was working and also did not disclose a bank account. She was sentenced to a 12 month Supervision Order, ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and had £350 costs awarded against her. A Compensation Order for £5,000 backed by a Collection Order was also granted.

The Council is in the process of recovering the rest of the overpayment of benefits that is not covered by the compensation order.

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