An 81-year-old man who cheated the benefits system for more than 12 years has been ordered to pay £815 by magistrates.

Bryan Squires, of Canons Close, Narborough, falsely claimed £11,081 in council tax benefit from 1998 up until May last year after failing to declare that he was working or that he had savings of more than £16,000.

He pleaded guilty to eight counts of benefit fraud at Leicester Magistrates Court on January 12 and was fined £200 and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge along with £602.96 costs.

Squires had already repaid all the illegally claimed benefit.

Councillor John Hudson, finance and efficiency portfolio holder at Blaby District Council said: “In this tough economic climate the public cannot afford to pay for people who are claiming benefits they are not entitled to.

“As a local authority we need to focus on getting benefits to people in real need and punishing people who are cheating the system.

 

“We will continue to work with other agencies to root out fraudsters who cost hardworking tax payers millions of pounds each year.”

Benefit cheats in Blaby district can be reported online at www.blaby.gov.uk/fraud or by calling 0116 272 7733. All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.