main content Benefit fraudster prosecuted 19 September 2007

A benefit fraudster was sentenced on the 19th September 2007 at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 128 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “This prosecution resulting from working in partnership with another agency is welcomed and sends out a clear message that fraud will not be tolerated. Combined with tougher sentences we hope that this will have a deterrent effect.”

Marie Parker, 37, of Greenwich Avenue, Beckenham, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing benefit totalling £7,315 over a period October 2003 to September 2005 in addition to benefits over claimed from the Department for Works and Pension. . She had failed to declare that she was working whilst claiming benefits. She was sentenced to a Community Punishment Order of 100 hours and had £100 costs awarded against her.

The Council is in the process of recovering its overpayment of housing benefit in this case.

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