03 September 2010A man from Seal who claimed nearly £8,000 in benefit that he was not entitled too was given a suspended prison sentence at court this week.
At Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Monday (8 June) Douglas Rombach, aged 40, of High Street, Seal pleaded guilty to two charges of falsely obtaining Social Security Benefit by failing to declare that he had started work.
In total Mr Rombach received £5,688.59 in Incapacity Benefit and £2,128.40 in Housing Benefit he knew he was not entitled to after failing to declare that he was working between May 2007 and April 2008.
The fraud came to light following an investigation conducted jointly by officers from Sevenoaks District Council’s Fraud and Control Team, and officers from the Department for Work and Pensions Fraud Investigation Service.
At court, Mr Rombach was sentenced to 120 days imprisonment, reduced to 90 days due to an early guilty plea and suspended for 24 months. He was also ordered to pay £100 costs, and was given a community supervision order with a requirement to attend an alcohol treatment course.
Cllr Brian Ramsay, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, says: "Benefit fraud impacts on every tax payer, and this case again shows that it will not be tolerated. If you suspect someone of committing this serious crime please let us know."
Sevenoaks District Council is actively seeking the repayment of the debt incurred.
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.
