A 35-year-old from Oxshott has admitted defrauding Elmbridge Council out of £7,500 in benefits.
Gavin Hark, from Waverley Road, failed to declare a savings account totalling £25,000 and was subsequently overpaid in housing and council tax benefit.
He was sentenced at Staines Magistrates’ Court on July 16, to a community penalty order for 100 hours of unpaid work over 12 months and ordered to pay the council’s costs of £235.51 in full straight after the hearing.
Councillor John O’Reilly, portfolio member for housing, said: “This is another successful prosecution - the 10th in the past 12 months - and reflects our zero-tolerance on fraud, and continuing active programme to detect and pursue anyone attempting to cheat the council and taxpayers in this way.”
If you know anyone committing fraud, call 01372 474291 or email benefitfraud@elmbridge.gov.uk.
• Get the latest crime figures in our Local Information section
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