Shropshire benefits fraudster to repay £5,500
A Shropshire man has been prosecuted after illegally claiming more than £5,500 in benefits.
Steven Williams, 60, from The Twiggery, in Tetchill, near Ellesmere, claimed housing and council tax benefit, but failed to tell Shropshire Council his household income had increased.
This meant between July 2010 and March 2013 he benefited from more than £5,500 to which he was not entitled.
At Shrewsbury Magistrates Court last Friday Williams was ordered to repay the money.
He was also fined £160 and ordered to pay £200 to Shropshire Council in costs.
Following the conviction Frances Darling, from Shropshire Council, said: "It is simply not acceptable for anyone to do this. It is the responsibility of people claiming housing benefit and council tax support to declare any income or capital to the council, plus any other changes to their circumstances. Where people fail to do this, the council will investigate the matter and will require the money to be repaid."
