Benefit cheat told to pay back £18k
A Pocklington man has received a criminal record and been ordered to repay more than £18,000 after admitting benefit fraud.
Robert McKenzie, 65, of Yapham Road, appeared before York Magistrates.
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He pleaded guilty to submitting false statements in order to obtain an entitlement to housing benefit, council tax benefit and pension credits.
East Riding Council and Department for Work and Pensions investigators found Mr McKenzie had failed to declare he had been working while claiming benefits.
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He was ordered to repay £18,889.38 and received a 12-month community punishment order, including 260 hours of unpaid work.
Jeff Taylor, principal fraud investigation and enforcement officer at East Riding Council, said: "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.
"The public are the victims of benefit fraud and I urge East Riding residents to report any suspicions to us, providing as much information as possible."
Anyone who suspects benefit fraud in the East Riding can email benefit.fraud@eastriding.gov.uk, call the 24-hour benefit fraud hotline on 01482 394949 or text 07786 200850.
4 Comments
by 012345678
Monday, February 25 2013, 7:38PM
“Can anyone explain how he will pay back the money ,does he own property or an expensive car or will it be repaid at a few pounds a week out of his benefit which the government give him ?”
by AdPotentia
Monday, February 25 2013, 5:40PM
“Theres one huge fraud in the East Riding... its called Parnaby and his cabinet. People won't respect the Council until it cleans up its own act.
I don't condone fraud of any kind its just plain wrong, this bunch of councillors have no moral high ground, no integrety no compasion or soul. To increase Benefits for the poorest most vulnerable and sick to pay for cobbling Saturday Market is inhuman.
You can't be a Tory and Human, time to choose.”
by susieb10
Monday, February 25 2013, 9:26AM
“How much of my tax and my husbands tax gets sent to these poverty stricken countries when this country needs the money? How much is wasted on councillors expenses, how much is wasted on new police buildings or campaigns. This country wastes money all the time and gives harsh sentences in court for some crimes and let's others of when they should be locked up, the justice system stinks.”
by VicMay
Monday, February 25 2013, 8:48AM
“If he'd broken into a bank and nicked 18 grand from a safe he's be looking at four years down the road. Because this is stealing from the DWP, tax payers money, it's not taken as seriously. I object to that. Just how much of my tax and my partners tax bill each year goes in theft?”