REDBRIDGE: Benefit fraudster escapes jail

8:56am Thursday 13th November 2008

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A WOMAN who conned Redbridge Council by fraudulently claiming £5,736 in benefits has been spared jail by magistrates.

Mrs Dharmati Dave, of Green Lane in Ilford, broke the law by failing to declare her savings when applying for council tax and housing benefits.

During the investigation, Dave denied to officials that she had the savings but quickly transferred the money to her son's bank account soon afterwards.

After pleading guilty at a hearing at Redbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday 6 November, Dave was sentenced for six weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £196 in costs.

She was also ordered to continue to living at her Green Lane address and was judged fit to do 60 hours unpaid work.

Cllr Thomas Chan, Cabinet Member for Resources and Communication said: "There is never any excuse for stealing taxpayers' money. There’s also nowhere for benefit cheats to hide.

"Redbridge Council will use every means available to detect the theft of tax payers money and we will always ask for the toughest penalties from the court. This applies even if the thief is 70-years-old, as is the case here."

A council spokesman encouraged residents to get in touch to help stop further frauds.

He said: "those who suspect benefit fraud is taking place can report it to the Redbridge Council benefit fraud hotline on 020 8553 9033."