Benefit cheat claimed pounds 9k.Byline: Justine Halifax A BENEFIT cheat who falsely claimed more than pounds 9,000 has been prosecuted. Martin Brooks, of Stanhope House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, was sentenced to 80 hours' community service at Tamworth Magistrates following a joint investigation between Tamworth Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions The Department for Work and Pensions (or DWP) (Welsh: Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau) is the largest government department in the Government of the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001, from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and . The 52-year-old, who was also ordered to pay pounds 100 costs, failed to declare capital he held and was overpaid o·ver·pay v. o·ver·paid , o·ver·pay·ing, o·ver·pays v.tr. 1. To pay (a party) too much. 2. To pay an amount in excess of (a sum due). v.intr. To pay too much. housing benefit and council tax benefit to the tune of pounds 4063.06 and income support by pounds 5318.30. The total overpayment o·ver·pay v. o·ver·paid , o·ver·pay·ing, o·ver·pays v.tr. 1. To pay (a party) too much. 2. To pay an amount in excess of (a sum due). v.intr. To pay too much. of pounds 9381.36 has now been paid back in full by Brooks. Coun Robert Pritchard, the borough council's portfolio holder for corporate governance, said: "Benefit fraud is an issue we take very seriously. By working with the Department for Work and Pensions we can make sure people abusing the system are stopped in their tracks. "Benefit thieves are stealing directly from the pockets of Tamworth taxpayers. "As this case shows, we will take steps to ensure we recoup tax payer's money wherever possible. However we also want to work with people so there is a better understanding of benefits, so we can avoid court cases where possible." |
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