Reading Benefit Cheat Caught
0A 65 year man from Whitley, Reading has been sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for two years after being found guilty of benefit fraud.
Roy Edward Watt from Bob green Court had been falsely claiming £16,261 of housing benefit and council tax benefit from Reading Borough Council between December 2010 and April 2012. On January 12, 2011, he also made a false claim for pension credits in a call to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Following a joint investigation by the DWP and Reading Borough Council, information obtained from Mr Watt’s bank statements showed he had a balance in excess of £122,000 at the time of making the claims. He had stated in benefits application forms that he only had £200 in the bank.
Mr Watt pleaded guilty to three charges involving false representations made to the Council and DWP and was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 21st March 2013. Not only did he receive a suspended custodial sentence, but was also told by magistrates to do 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay compensation (Reading Borough Council) of £5,000.
The court also ordered he pay legal costs of £969.62.
If you suspect anyone of fraudulently claiming benefits, call the confidential hotline on (0500) 500 777 or go to www.reading.gov.uk/adviceandbenefits/housingandcounciltaxbenefits