main content Benefit fraudsters prosecuted

Two benefit fraudsters were sentenced recently at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 130 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “These prosecutions are the result of a continuing drive, working where necessary, with other agencies to vigorously pursue fraudsters. Combined with the courts imposing tougher sentences we hope that this will have a deterrent effect.”

Fred Gogo, 32, of Parish Lane, Penge, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling £4,248 over a period January 2007 to June 2007. He had failed to declare a change in his circumstance. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and had £100 costs awarded against him.
Irene Streets, 42, formerly of Stumps Hill Lane, Beckenham pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of council tax benefit totalling £666 and the Department of Works and Pensions of benefits totalling £4,469 over a period September 2003 and November 2004. The case was identified through a matching exercise indicating she was in employment that she had not declared. The case was jointly investigated with the DWP. The Council has recovered the council tax overpayment. She was sentenced to a 120 hour Community Punishment Order.

The Council is in the process of recovering its overpayment of benefits in the first 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