Driffield resident Martin McKalroy has received an 18-month community punishment order, to include 150 hours of unpaid work, after admitting benefit fraud.
McKalroy, 56, of Eastfield Road, Driffield, appeared before Bridlington Magistrates on Monday, and was sentenced after admitting to dishonestly making false statements to East Riding of Yorkshire Council in order to obtain housing and council tax benefit.
An investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council investigators established that Mr McKalroy had under-declared his self-employed earnings and had also failed to declare that his wife was also working.
Mr McKalroy fraudulently obtained housing and council tax benefit totalling £5,352.73 between the period July 2009 to August 2011. He will have to repay the overpayment together with the £750 costs he was ordered pay.
McKalroy was prosecuted under Section 111A(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.
Jeff Taylor, principal fraud investigation and enforcement officer, said: “The council does not tolerate abuse of the benefit system. We are determined to safeguard the funds available for genuine claimants.
Anyone found to be fraudulently claiming benefit face being brought before the courts and, if convicted, receiving a criminal record.”This prosecution was taken after consideration of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s prosecution policy.
Anyone who suspects benefit fraud in the East Riding area can call the 24-hour benefit fraud hotline in confidence on 01482 394949, text 07786 200 850, or email benefit.fraud@eastriding.gov.uk