16K benefit cheat caught out

A benefit cheat has narrowly avoided prision after she was found guilty of illegally claiming nearly £16,000 in benefit and income support payments.

Forty-one year old Phillipa Dozin of 30 Apple Orchard, Swanley, Kent BR8 7EL pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to declare paid work to both the Department for Work and Pensions and Sevenoaks District Council on 6 July at Maidstone Crown Court.

As a result of Miss Dozin's deception over a period of four years the claimant received £7,414.29 Income Support (from the Department of Work and Pensions), and £6,786.86 Housing Benefit and £1,683.31 Council Tax Benefit (from Sevenoaks District Council) which she was not entitled to.

Miss Dozin has been ordered to pay back the money to Sevenoaks District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Miss Dozin, was sentenced to six months inprisionment for each offence (to run con-currently), however, due to mitigating health concerns, the sentence was suspended for two years.

This case was brought to court after irregularities were discovered following a joint venture between Sevenoaks District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. The fraud was discovered through a routine cross-checking of personal data.

Cllr Brian Ramsay, the Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for value for money, says: "This is another successful prosecution proving that benefit cheats can and will be caught. It sends out a clear message that the Council and the courts will not tolerate an abuse of the benefits system."

If the public has any information relating to benefit fraud, they can call Sevenoaks District Council's confidential benefit fraud hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 01732 227445.