Benefit Fraudster Jailed

A 39-year-old Hereford man will spend 6 months in jail for defrauding Herefordshire Council of more than £8,744.

Christopher John Williams, of The Newlands, Old School Lane,
pleaded guilty at Hereford Magistrates Court on April 1, 2003, to three offences of defrauding Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and other benefits.

He was sentenced to six months’ jail for each offence to serve concurrently.

Williams committed the fraud over a 12-month period while he worked for Polytec Holden in Bromyard as a forklift truck driver.

Williams’ defence solicitor said he had started working odd hours in Bromyard but his hours increased until he was in full-time employment.

The court was given a reference from his employer stating he was honest and hard working.

Williams said he was relieved to have been found out but wanted to avoid jail and was afraid of losing his job.

Karen Darby, Herefordshire Council Benefit Investigation Manager, said: “Over the past 12 months the Benefit Investigation Unit – along with the Council’s legal team – has successfully prosecuted 17 cases, given 17 formal cautions and issued 16 fines.

“This sends a clear message that the Council will not tolerate fraud and we will actively pursue anyone who is cheating the system.”