18 March 2010A Swanley benefit cheat has been successfully prosecuted by Sevenoaks District Council after he illegally claimed more than £8,900 in benefits.
Fifty-eight year old John Jenner from Cardinal Court, Swanley, Kent BR8 7BH, appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court last Thursday (3 December 2009) where he pleaded guilty to four charges of benefit fraud.
A routine investigation by Sevenoaks District Council found that Mr Jenner had submitted four benefit claim forms between October 2003 and March 2009 on which he failed to declare that he was in receipt of Industrial Injuries Benefit and had been since 1991.
As a result of his actions, Mr Jenner illegally claimed £6,844.52 in Housing Benefit and £2,145.84 in Council Tax Benefit, an amount totalling £8,990.36
At court, Mr Jenner was given a conditional discharge, to run for a period of 12 months, which now means he has a criminal record. The illegally claimed benefit will now be taken from Mr Jenner’s current benefit entitlement.
Cllr Brian Ramsay, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, says: "We are determined to do all we can to protect tax payers' money and as this case demonstrates, our routine checks will catch those who attempt to cheat the system. So benefit cheats out there should be aware that we are closing in on them."
If the public has any information relating to benefit fraud, they can call Sevenoaks District Council's confidential benefit fraud hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 01732 227445.
