Man 'stuck head in the sand' while fraudulently receiving thousands, court hears

A man who "stuck his head in the sand" as he fraudulently received thousands of pounds in housing benefit ended up appearing in court.

Rodney Timmis, 51, admitted to failing to notify his change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to housing benefits between April 7 2012 and September 3 last year.

In a separate case another woman admitted to failing to notify Shropshire Council that she had moved properties, which affected her entitlement to housing benefit.

Timmis, of White Hart, Reabrook Estate, Shrewsbury did not tell Shropshire Council when his earnings increased, which affected his entitlement to claim.

Mike Davies, prosecuting, at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court, said Timmis had claimed housing benefit rightly to begin with and had signed an agreement to say he would notify any changes in his circumstances.

Mr Davies said: "In 2011 he did receive caution for a similar offence so he clearly knows you have to notify the council if there are any changes in your circumstances.

"He claims there were certain family issues at the time which distracted him."

The court heard how Timmis had contacted Shropshire Council and was in the process of paying back the £4,522.50 he fraudulently received.

In mitigation, Emma Lineton, said Timmis "should have known better following the last occasion".

She said his partner was not working and suffering from a variety of health problems including diabetes, heart problems and most recently fluid on the lungs and she was fairly dependent on Timmis.

She said: "He works three days a week and doesn't have much money left over after rent.

"This is not an excuse and he should have known better. However, he was suffering from stress and anxiety and buried his head in the sand."

Timmis was given a 12 month community order, told to complete 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay a £60 surcharge and £100 costs.

Another case heard how 31-year-old Lindsey Williams admitted to failing to notify Shropshire Council that she had moved properties, which affected her entitlement to housing benefit.

Williams, of The Grove, Hodnet, Market Drayton, fraudulently received £2,411.48 from September 19 to November 14 last year.

Mr Davies, prosecuting, said Williams had moved from her property in Whitchurch, where she was previously rightly receiving housing benefits, to move in with her partner in Market Drayton where she continued to receive the benefits and did not tell the council.

He said: "She was open and honest in interview and said she did not really keep an eye on her bank account."

Paul Nicholas, mitigating for Williams, said: "While Williams was living in Whitchurch with her partner the relationship went sour which caused her great upset. Also at the time her grandmother had a fall and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her partner moved out and she was left penniless. She quite rightly applied for benefits.

"She was having trouble making ends meet and moved back in with her partner in Market Drayton. This was better for the family as the house was more suitable. Over the last 18 months her life has been utterly chaotic and she is ashamed to be before the court."

Williams was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £50 costs.