Benefit cheat Janet Pite has been fined £1,600 and ordered to pay costs of £480 by Highbury Corner Magistrates after she pleaded guilty to four charges of making false claims to Housing and Council Tax Benefits. <br><br>Mrs Pite who lives in N1 had failed to provide details of substantial savings in her name on four benefit application forms submitted to Islington Council between April 1998 and October 2001, contrary to section 111A(1)(b) and (3) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.<br><br>As a result, she received £5,473.14 in Housing Benefit and £437.10 in Council Tax Benefit to which, had she correctly declared her savings, she would not have been entitled.<br><br>Details of Mrs. Pite's undeclared savings came to light when records of Income Tax paid on interest earned by savings accounts were matched against claims for benefits by the council's benefit security team.<br><br>The case was heard by Highbury Corner Magistrates on 19 April 2005. Mrs Pite was fined £400 for each charge and ordered to pay full costs of £480 - a total of £2080. She was ordered to pay this within 7 days.<br><br>Cllr Jyoti Vaja, executive member for housing and community safety said: "Islington council is getting better all the time at rooting out benefit cheats. The old days of people getting away with ripping off the council are over. Last year at least one person a week was either prosecuted, fined or cautioned by the council for fraud.<br><br>"We want to stamp out benefit fraud, it's illegal and takes money from those who are genuinely entitled to it. Help us stop this crime. If you know of benefit cheat call our anonymous freephone hotline."<br><br>Ann Lucas, Homes for Islington Board Chair said: "Benefits are meant for those who are truly in need. Fraud will not tolerated and Homes for Islington will continue to work with the council to take appropriate action to ensure that tenants pay their rent." <br><br>If you know a benefit cheat call our freephone 24 anonymous hotline on 0800 073 1449, visit the council's website at www.islington.gov.uk or email benefitfraud@islington.gov.uk<br><br>The benefit fraud investigations team will look at every tip off. If there are grounds for investigation one will take place and appropriate action will be taken. This can include prosecution, an official caution, a financial penalty or the withdrawal of benefit.<br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009