Enderby EYE

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Pensioner hid injury payout

10 May 2010

A pensioner who hid an injury payout of £27,000 while falsely claiming benefits for six years has been spared a jail sentence.

Stephen Alesbrook, 67, received the compensation in 2000 after an injury forced him out of work, but he failed to declare the cash to Blaby District Council or the Department for Work and Pensions, amassing nearly £17,000 of taxpayer’s money he was not entitled to.

Alesbrook, of Huncote Road, Stoney Stanton, pleaded guilty to two counts of benefit fraud at Leicester Magistrates Court on April 23 and was given an 18 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £150 costs.

He also repaid all the cash he falsely claimed at the earliest opportunity.

Magistrates recognised his full co-operation with investigators, early guilty plea, poor health and previous good character to go outside the sentencing guidelines of up to six weeks imprisonment for the offences.

Alison Moran, performance and audit manager at Blaby District Council said:

“Benefit fraud is plain and simple theft from the public purse and we will continue to work with our partners to prosecute these fraudsters who are costing hard working taxpayers millions of pounds each year.”

If you suspect anyone in Blaby district of committing benefit fraud, call the Council’s Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0116 272 7733. All calls are confidential; callers can remain anonymous if they wish.

You can also report a benefit thief online, and find out more information (see link below).

Associated links

» Blaby District Council [Fraud]

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Pensioner hid injury payout