A benefit fraudster, who doubled his savings by swindling Islington residents out of thousands of pounds, was thwarted by council officials this month (June).
Robbie Telfer falsely obtained more than £16,000 by claiming council tax and housing benefits without declaring he already had a similar amount in savings stashed away.
Telfer admitted two counts of knowingly making false statements on Housing Benefit/ Council Tax forms and asked for a further 11 offences to be taken into account.
The 37-year-old benefit cheat said he had "assumed" that savings of less than a £16,000 threshold did not have to be declared and were "negligible".
However, the Judge at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court heard how Mr. Telfer had failed to declare his savings on 13 applications for housing and council tax benefits submitted to Islington Council, despite having more than £16,000 in a building society account, for a period of time during the claim which was spread over several years. As a result, he was overpaid nearly £17,000 in housing benefit and council tax benefit.
District Judge Mr Turner, told tax-cheat Telfer, that he had committed a very serious offence, before handing out a 3 month suspended jail sentence, and ordering him to do 200 hours of community service. Telfer, of Brooksby Street, N1, was also ordered to pay £618.32 in costs.
District Judge Mr Turner added that it was important to send a message to the public in order to deter further benefit fraud.
Cllr Terry Stacey, executive member for housing and communities said: "Individuals who swindle money are cheating residents out of valuable public services and facilities for their personal gain. This conviction sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate those who flout the law in this way."
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008