Slough Borough Council’s investigation team successfully brought a prosecution against a resident who made fraudulent claims for housing benefit and was jailed for four months.
On 27 November, Dennis Kelly of Belmont Road, Slough was sentenced at Reading Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges of dishonesty by making false statements and representations in order to claim housing benefit to which he was not entitled.
The Slough offences occurred over a five year period and Mr Kelly received more than £13,000 in fraudulently claimed benefit.
Mr Kelly had repeatedly lied about the existence of bank accounts when completing benefit application and review forms. The Slough council’s investigation officers discovered bank accounts belonging to Mr Kelly which contained more than £60,000.
Slough Borough Council’s investigation team leader, Scott Warner, said: “We’re committed to making sure that Slough tax payers are not ripped off by people like Mr Kelly and this custodial sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate abuse of the system.
“Offenders will be found and brought to justice.”
Commissioner for Slough opportunity and skills, Cllr Fiza Matloob, added: “We’re committed to making sure tax payer’s money is not being fraudulently taken by others.
“Well done to the investigations team for all their hard work and the recovery of such a large sum of money.”
This represents the 11th successful prosecution for the council’s investigation team since April.
If you have information about suspected benefit fraud, please contact the team’s Fraud Hotline on 01753 787876.
Slough Borough Council
