A REDDITCH man has been fined after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming Council Tax Benefit.
Peter Loach, age 71 of Mason Close, Headless Cross was sentenced by Redditch Magistrates Court on last Thursday, December 17, 2015 after pleading guilty to three charges of fraudulently claiming Council Tax Benefit.
This amounted to £4,053.68 between July 2010 and March 2013 because he failed to declare his earnings as an estate manager and two private pensions.
Mr Loach was fined £615 for the offences and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £445.
Magistrates said that his sentence would have been greater had he not entered an early guilty plea and already made arrangements with the council to repay the fraudulently obtained money.
A Redditch Borough Council spokesperson said: “This case again demonstrates the importance of declaring true circumstances when claiming benefit and reporting any changes as they take place.
“Failure to do so may lead to a criminal record and could have an impact on future claims.”
Anybody wishing to report a case of suspected benefit fraud can do so by ringing the Investigation Team during office hours on 01527 534011 or by visiting www.redditchbc.gov.uk/fraud.
