Housing Benefit cheat caught

A benefit cheat who defrauded the council of £3,990 in Housing Benefit has been sentenced to 12 months community punishment order with a supervision requirement and ordered to pay £500 costs.

Mr Antonio Spada, aged 55, of Mill Lane, Cuddington, previously of Laburnum Court, Off Sandy Lane, Lymm appeared before Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday 20 May.

It was established that Mr Spada left Laburnum Court and continued to receive Housing Benefit payments into his bank that he was not entitled to between September 2006 and June 2007.

He was prosecuted under Section 111A (1A) of the Social Security Administration Act, as he failed to promptly notify of a change in his circumstances, namely that he had moved address.

Mr Spada will also be required to attend the Think First Program and repay the overpayment along with the costs.

Adrian Webster, the council’s Benefits Manager, said: “There are no ifs, no buts when it comes to benefit fraud. Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves.
“Benefit thieves must realise that they cannot abuse the benefit system and steal from the rest of society. They are not just defrauding the Government, but their own tax paying neighbours and communities in Warrington.”

People in Warrington can give information about alleged fraudsters free and in confidence on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.

Issued by:  Gina Coldrick, Press Officer
Date:   Friday 23 May, 2008
Release: Immediate