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Benefit fraud will not be tolerated as local man is caught out
Watford Borough Council has sent the message across the town that benefit fraud will not be tolerated, following the conviction of a local self-employed taxi driver who had not disclosed his total earnings.
Mr Abdul Ullah, aged 43, of Wiggenhall Road, was caught out in a routine data matching exercise run by Watford Borough Council and other agencies. Mr Ullah was interviewed under caution in March and July 2007 by Investigations Officers at Watford Borough Council.
The only explanation Mr Ullah could offer was that his accountant had completed his benefit forms and that he must have failed to declare them on the forms. Further enquires were made and it emerged that Mr Ullah had re-mortgaged his property and also sold his share of a restaurant, and therefore had capital well in excess of £16,000 – which is the prescribed limit for claiming Council Tax Benefit.
Mr Ullah appeared at St, Albans Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty, and because of his good character was awarded some credit and sentenced to 180 hours Community Punishment Order over a 12 months period. Mr Ullah will also pay £1000 in costs to Watford Borough Council.
Councillor Andy Wylie, cabinet member responsible for financial issues, said: “This latest prosecution and subsequent conviction continues to demonstrate that Watford Borough Council is taking a strong line against benefit offences and will not tolerate benefit cheats.”
Readers can report a fraud in confidence to Watford Borough Council on freephone 0800 458 9200 or write to the Council’s Fraud Section at the Town Hall, Watford WD17 3EX
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