Peter Traquair, of Bath Road, Wrexham, failed to report to the Housing Benefits office an increase in his income, which resulted in him receiving over £3,000 in housing and council tax benefits to which he was not entitled.
The court took into con
sideration that Traquair had no previous convictions and had repaid the monies prior to his court appearance. Consequently the court imposed a twelve month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £600 costs.
Also in court was Roy Stevenson, of Penley, who was jointly prosecuted by Wrexham Council and the Department for Work and Pensions for claiming as a single man with two children, but he failed to declare that he had a partner living with him who was working.
He pleaded guilty to the offences but had been overpaid benefits totalling £5,500. In addition to the overpayment, which is being repaid, the courts fined him £200 and £90 costs.
The pair were prosecuted by Tudor Williams on behalf of the county council at Wrexham Magistrates Court.
Wrexham Council is urging members of the public, who believe someone may be claiming benefits to which they are not entitled, to call the fraud hotline on 01978 292728, or e-mail
stampoutfraud@wrexham.gov.uk.
The full article contains 220 words and appears in Evening Leader Wrexham newspaper.
