main content Benefit fraudsters prosecuted 26 September 2007

Two benefit fraudsters were sentenced on the 26th September 2007 at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 127 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “These prosecutions resulting from data matching, emphasises our willingness to use any technology available and work with other authorities to ensure that all fraudsters will be vigorously pursued. Together with the expectation that tougher sentences will be imposed by the courts we hope that this will have a deterrent effect.”

Donald Amaele, 30, of Penceat Court, Bourdon Road, Penge, was arrested on a warrant and pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling £9,965 over a period between August 2005 and April 2007. The case was identified through the national fraud initiative as he had failed to declare that he was in receipt of a student grant and student loan. He was sentenced to a 12 month Community Punishment Order for 180 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £250 costs.
Emeka Ogbonna, 42, of Letchworth Drive, Bromley, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling £11,406 over a period June 2005 to November 2006. The case was identified through the national fraud initiative as he had failed to declare that he was in receipt of a student grant and student loan, owned another property, was a company director and did not disclose a bank account. He was sentenced to a Community Punishment Order of 180 hours unpaid work and had a £10,000 compensation order as well as £350 costs awarded against him.


The Council is in the process of recovering its overpayments of housing benefits in both cases.

ENDS