Court date for benefit cheats

Working with the Department of Work and Pensions, the council took Karen Davis, of Crabtree Lane, and Anthony and Julie Kershaw, of Austin Road, to court. The authority's benefit investigation team also put David Senior, formerly of Scaife Road, before Redditch Magistrates. Davis pleaded guilty to four charges of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances and one charge of dishonestly making a false statement while claiming housing and council tax benefit and income support. The court heard that Davis failed to report that she was working and living with a partner, resulting in an overpayment of housing and council tax benefit of £1,590.61. Income support was overpaid to the value of £2,267.35. Davis was fined £600 and ordered to pay £100 costs.

Anthony Kershaw pleaded guilty to two charges of knowingly allowing his partner, Julie Kershaw, to fail to promptly notify a change of circumstances. Julie pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances, namely that her partner was in employment.

This resulted in an overpayment of housing and council tax benefit of £1,787.48 and £2,258.55 income support. Both defendants were fined £250 on each charge and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Senior pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstance - that he was working while claiming housing and council tax benefit resulting in an overpayment of £3,147.27. He was fined £200 with £250 costs. All overpaid benefits will be fully recovered.

A council spokesman said: "These cases continue to emphasise the seriousness of benefit fraud and shows that Bromsgrove District Council will work to ensure that benefits are paid correctly, taking legal action where necessary."

Any suspected fraud can be reported to Bromsgrove Council on 01527 881221, by email to hotline@bromsgrove.gov.uk or by entering the details on the fraud referral form on Bromsgrove Council's website at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk