A CRABBS Cross benefit cheat has been handed a four-week curfew order after falsely claiming more than £5,000.
Colin Walker, of Fordbridge Close, was sentenced at Redditch Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (January 14) after pleading guilty to dishonestly claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit totalling £5,113.
The 64-year-old failed to declare the true extent of his savings between August 2012 and June 2014.
The investigation began as a result of a data match with HMRC to prevent and detect fraud.
He was ordered to stay at his home between 9pm and 7am and must pay prosecution costs of £85.
Magistrates said he had taken money away from people more deserving than him and the punishment would have been greater had he not entered an early guilty plea.
But they added he was of previous good character and had already repaid the money back to Redditch Borough Council.
A spokeswoman for the council said anybody claiming benefits is legally declaring their true circumstances and this case showed the importance of doing so.
To report a case of suspected benefit fraud ring the investigation team on 01527 534011.
