4 March 2008

A Guildford resident has pleaded guilty to defrauding Guildford Borough Council of over £8,000 worth of benefits.

John Riddell of Leas Road in Guildford failed to tell the council that he was receiving self-employed earnings for working as a sub-contractor to a local construction firm while claiming housing and council tax benefits. The offences occurred between July 2005 and August 2006.

Mr Riddell was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court to six months' prison sentence suspended for two years and 120 hours community service over 12 months.

Lead Councillor for Finance and Resources, Cllr Tony Rooth, comments: “This should serve as a warning to those looking to carry out fraud - Guildford Borough Council is committed to providing a deterrent through active prosecutions of this kind. Our duty is to protect council tax payers’ money. Benefits are there to help people and we want to ensure that they go to the residents who need them.

"Investigations like these can sometimes take considerable time and resources, however, they are necessary to ensure those defrauding are brought to justice. Working closely with the police means we are able to get the evidence needed to make sure public money is protected."

Mr Riddell has arrangements in place to repay the money to Guildford Borough Council.

Guildford resident Mary Ann Brooke of Woodside Road has been prosecuted for a £13,000 benefit fraud. She has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on 26 March 2008. Ms Brooke failed to declare her full income and inheritance to the council while claiming housing and council tax benefit. She also has arrangements in place to repay the money to the council.

For information on benefits call the council on 01483 444884 or go to council tax pages and housing benefit pages.