A MAN falsely claimed more than £4,000 by failing to disclose he was living with a partner in full-time employment, magistrates heard at Warrington.
Daniel Sharples, 28, of Valley Court, Padgate, Warrington repeatedly failed to attend interviews with Warrington Borough Council regarding an allegation that he made claims for jobseekers allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit in August 2008 and January last year, but failed to disclose that he was living with his partner who was in full-time employment.
As a result the council asked for the matter to be heard in Court but Sharples failed to attend a hearing in April and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
When he did appear, he pleaded not guilty to the two offences but was convicted on both.
The court heard he was overpaid housing and council tax benefit of £2,831 and jobseekers allowance of £1,727.
Sharples was ordered to repay the money and ordered to do 80 hours community service and pay £200 costs.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves. I would also like to make it very clear that failure to attend interviews does not preclude anyone from prosecution.”
A MAN falsely claimed more than £4,000 by failing to disclose he was
living with a partner in full-time employment, magistrates heard at
Warrington.
Benefit cheat obtained £4,000
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
