Monday 15 December, 2008

A former Guildford resident was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for defrauding Guildford Borough Council of over £8,600 worth of benefits.

Anthony Hill, formerly of North Road, Ash Vale, failed to declare an income while claiming housing and council tax benefit from April 2006 to March 2008. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Guildford Magistrates Court on Thursday (11 December).

In addition to his suspended prison sentence, Mr Hill was ordered to complete 200 hours of community work, and pay costs of £180. Mr Hill is also repaying the full amount of overpaid benefits.

Cllr Tony Rooth, Lead Councillor for Finance and Resources, says: "Guildford Borough Council is committed to preventing and tackling benefit fraud. The benefit system is there to help those people most in need and we will actively prosecute anyone found to be making a fraudulent claim."

For more information on housing and council tax benefit in Guildford Borough call 01483 444884 or email benefits@guildford.gov.uk.