Slough

Slough Borough Council’s investigation team have successfully assisted the Metropolitan Police in the prosecution a couple who fraudulently claimed in excess of £120,000 in state benefits.

Tanzanian couple, Hellen Mammy Shem Samuel, aged 39, aka, Helena Elisaeli Swai aged 34, and her husband, Richard Shem Samuel aged 41, aka Richard Alexander Sekuba aged 39, were convicted at Isleworth Crown Court on November 10 following a trial on a number of offences.

These included fraudulently claiming state benefits from the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) and Slough Borough Council between August 1999 and September 2010 by claiming under false identities.

They were also found guilty of obtaining leave to remain in the UK by deception and possessing improperly obtained identity documents with intent.

They had entered the UK in 1998 using Tanzanian passports, but then reinvented themselves as Burundian asylum seekers, changing their names and dates of birth.

They then used these new identities to obtain leave to remain in the UK and claim state welfare benefits.

The couple were caught following an investigation led by the Metropolitan Police, assisted by officers from Slough Borough Council and the DWP.

They were sentenced on January 6 – Hellen Samuel received two years imprisonment and Richard Samuel received three years imprisonment.

Chris Lamsdell, Head of Slough Corporate Fraud & Investigations said: “We’re very pleased with this outcome and hope it sends out a message to anyone thinking they can get away with fraudulently claiming benefits.

“We will continue to investigate claims and no doubt there will be more prosecutions going to court this coming year.”

Commissioner for opportunity and skills, Cllr Pavitar Mann, added: “These convictions are a great result and the culmination of a fantastic partnership between Slough Borough Council and the Metropolitan Police. I hope these convictions serve as a warning to others that we do, and will continue to, prosecute those who breaking the law.

“In the current climate, it’s more vital than ever to ensure benefits are accessible to those genuine need and who are entitled to them. Slough Borough Council will continue to clamp down on bogus claims which ultimately take vital funds from some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

On 6 January 2011 at Isleworth Crown Court before his Honour Judge Rylance, Richard Shem Samuel, 41 yrs, and Hellen Samuel, 39 yrs, both formerly of Severn Crescent, Slough were sentenced to three years and two years respectively having been found guilty on 6 November 2011 of an 11 count indictment including improperly obtained documents, leave to remain in the UK and fraud.

This follows an investigation by Metropolitan Police officers based at Heathrow, supported by Slough Borough Council, the Department of Work and Pensions, and the UK Borders Agency.

Officer in the case, DC Martyn Paley said: “This was a protracted enquiry vigorously pursued by police and Borders Agency CFI unit investigator, Sarah Fenney. The partnership has been integral to the success of our combined operations over many years.”

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an elderly person had cash stolen from his home in Slough on Tuesday (24/1).

At about 12.30pm a man claiming to be from Social Services visited the victim at his home address in Beechwood Gardens, Slough stating that he was there to clean the gutter at a discount price of £150.

The Slough victim handed over the money, no work was carried out.

The offender is described as having light brown skin, aged around 30 years, with short black hair combed to the side. He is of big build between 5ft 10ins and 6ft and was wearing a blue jacket. His accent is not local to the area.

Officers in the Slough area are working with Social Services regarding this incident.

PC Gary Hooks from Slough police station said: “I am appealing to any one in the area who saw a man matching the description above to contact police with any information.

“I would also ask everyone to remain vigilant, particularly to anyone visiting addresses claiming to be workmen.”

Anyone with information, or if they noticed suspicious activity in the area should contact PC Hooks via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

The first of several Slough trails has now been completed at Herschel Park to enhance visitors’ enjoyment of the Victorian Park.

People can marvel at the oldest and tallest tree in the Slough park, find out how a Monkey Puzzle Tree got its name, what the native country of a swamp cypress is, when the game of conkers was first played and what uses are made of the Yew tree wood.

A full coloured leaflet has been produced supplying lots of detailed information, facts and figures relating to ten of the most important trees in the park.

This is a self guided trail with each of the trees on the trail being clearly marked with an attractive new name plaque.

Leaflets will be available from the kiosk in the park, local libraries and Slough Museum.

Other leaflets and trails are to follow which will include the park’s wildlife and local history.

If after trying out the Slough tree trail you are keen to find out more about the trees of the park then why not join Tony Down, Herschel Park management officer on Sunday, March 25 when he will be leading a Tree Walk around the park from 2pm to 3.30pm.

For more information contact Tony on 01753 875209.

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a robbery in Slough.

The incident happened between 6pm and 7pm yesterday (19/1) in Wellington Street, Slough close to the pedestrian subway.

The Slough victim, a 19-year-old man walked past a number of Asian men who were standing by some vehicles, when one of them made a comment to him.

He was then assaulted by a number of the men during which £70 and his mobile phone was stolen. The victim’s friend, a 22-year-old man, was also assaulted.

The victim suffered a fractured nose, swollen left eye and minor cuts and bruises. His friend suffered a bump to the head.

The Slough offenders are 17-20 years old.

Det Con Stefanie Day, who is investigating the incident, said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident which happened on a main road. I am also keen to trace a driver who stopped to check if the victim was ok.”

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Det Con Day, in Slough CID, via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council yesterday (17 January 2012) released a new management structure proposal.

The proposal has, today, been given to all Slough council staff within areas affected if the new structure is given the go ahead. The formal consultation on the proposals will begin on 20 January.

The new structure reduces the number of Slough directors from four to three and the number of senior managers from 17 to 12.

If agreed in its entirety, the proposal and reduction in posts will save the council £500,000 a year.

Staff directly affected have a month to respond to the consultation if they wish.

The proposal takes account of the voluntary redundancy of Slough Director of Education and Children’s Services, Clair Pyper. Under the proposals, teams who are currently part of the department would report to other directors.

After the consultation period is over, and the responses have been considered, a decision whether or not to proceed will be made by the chief executive, Ruth Bagley and leader of the council, Rob Anderson.

Ruth Bagley, Slough chief executive, said: “We are still facing major changes because of cuts in public sector funding and because government’s expectations of local government are changing.

“In particular in the education arena, government policies are causing many changes very quickly with schools rapidly become academies and local authority involvement becoming much less.

“The proposal is designed to reflect the changes taking place, to reduce costs and also maintain the capacity to face and adapt to future change.”

Councillor Rob Anderson, leader of the Slough council, said: “These latest management restructure proposals are part of our ongoing work to make Slough Borough Council more efficient and fleet of foot in the new world local government has to operate in.

“Since the coalition government first announced funding cuts to local authorities, the cabinet has said where possible savings should be taken from management tiers and back office, while protecting the front line, and this is the next stage of the ongoing work.

“There are huge changes taking place in the relationship between local authorities and education provision, and as a council we have to be prepared for this.

“The government has not given a clear indication about what the structure may look like in future, but this structure proposal supports changes which are in the pipeline already.”

Slough Borough Council