A PAIR of Gosport residents have been ordered to pay back £8,000 each after fraudulently claiming benefits.
Michael Brind, 45, of High Drive, pleaded guilty to fraud at Fareham Magistrates’ Court after failing to tell Gosport Borough Council that he had found employment.
After starting work in February 2012 he received a housing benefit overpayment of £8,000 and was told to pay £100 costs and carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work.
In a separate case Claire Atkinson, 37, of Sunningdale Close, pleaded guilty to the same charge, having failed to notify the council that her husband’s wages had increased.
She was ordered to pay £100 costs, carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work, and pay back the £8,000 wrongly received in housing and council tax benefit.
Contact the 24-hour benefit investigation hotline on 023 9254 5545 if you suspect a benefits fraud.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel