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A retired naval serviceman was today sentenced to a 200 hour community punishment order for deliberately failing to declare his pension while claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit worth more than £17,000.
Albert Haigh, 75, from First Avenue, Sudbury, had pleaded guilty to eight charges of dishonestly making false statements at an earlier hearing of Sudbury Magistrates’. His unclaimed pension came to light when Babergh staff contacted him to see if he was eligible for the Pension credit, because at that stage it looked as if his income was so low.
Mr Haigh was also ordered to pay the £325 costs of Babergh District Council, who brought the prosecution. The Bench indicated that it was only because Mr Haigh had both been of previously good character and had showed remorse for his actions.
Mr Haigh has already made an arrangement to repay his Council Tax Benefit and is being contacted by Babergh about increasing the repayments of his Housing Benefit.
Bob Southgate, Babergh’s Head of Revenues said “the scale of this particular fraud was extraordinary. But because of careful checking of records and a determination to root out this type of behaviour, Babergh’s Fraud Team were able to bring a successful conclusion to their investigations. Regardless of age, gender or any other circumstances, fraud is bad and Babergh will not tolerate it”. ENDS
You can report suspected fraud, anonymously if necessary, any time of the day or night through our website, or via the Council's fraud hotline on (01473) 825797.
The account of this case can be read in the Suffolk Free Press: www.sudburytoday.co.uk.
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