BURSTWICK MAN IN COURT FOR BENEFIT FRAUD
A resident from Burstwick has been given a twelve month community punishment order after fraudulently claiming over £13,500 in benefits.
Anthony Simpson (47) of Beech Close, Burstwick, had pleaded guilty at Beverley Magistrates Court to failing to promptly notify East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions of a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to housing benefit, council tax benefit and employment support allowance.
Due to the large amount of money Simpson fraudulently claimed, the case was referred to Hull Crown Court for sentencing where he was given a twelve month community punishment order, incorporating a six month electronic curfew order.
Simpson will have to repay the £13,773.26 he fraudulently claimed.
The case was brought to court following a joint investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions who discovered that Simpson had failed to declare that he had savings in excess of £16,000.
A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “It is the public who are the victims of benefit fraud and those who choose to deliberately commit benefit fraud should be aware that it is only a matter of time before they are brought before the courts.”
Anyone who suspects benefit fraud in the East Riding can call the 24-hour benefit fraud hotline in confidence on (01482) 394949, text 07786 200850 or email benefit.fraud@eastriding.gov.uk