Fraudsters foiled

When Jan Michniak, 33, of Westborough Road, Westcliff, made a Housing and Council Tax benefit claim in February 2005 he failed to mention he had more than £16,000 in an undeclared bank account. 

From then until February 2010 he always maintained he had no savings or capital and as a result was overpaid £8,345.39 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

At Southend Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 9th March he admitted dishonestly making false statements. 

Michniak was sentenced to an 18-month Community Order with 250 hours of work, was ordered to pay £200 costs and must also pay back the whole sum he unlawfully received. 

Meanwhile, Danielle Spence, 20, of Albany Avenue, Westcliff, unlawfully received £1,426.76 worth of housing benefit after dishonestly claiming for an address she had vacated in October 2009. 

At Southend Magistrates Court on Thursday 10th March she admitted failing to promptly declare a relevant change in her circumstances.  

She was given an 18-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £110 costs and must also pay back the overpayment.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Corporate Support Services, Andrew Moring, said: "The Council is committed to paying benefits to people who are entitled to them, but as these cases show, we will take action against those who make fraudulent claims."  

Any suspicions of Benefit Fraud can be reported to the Corporate Investigation Team at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council on 01702-215254 between 9am and 5.15pm or the details can be left on the benefit report line 01702-215215.

Alternatively they can be emailed to counterfraud@southend.gov.uk