Press Releases
Ealing Council throws the book at benefit fraudsters (PR 898)
Ealing Council’s on-going hunt for benefit fraudsters has netted another three successful prosecutions.
The three cheated the council out of a total of £40,000 in housing and benefit tax claims.
In one case, Sinnakannu Sinnaya, of Southall, swindled £22,000 of housing tax benefits. He produced false documents to claim the money and failed to admit to the council on three separate occasions that his daughter was his landlord.
Councillor David Scott, cabinet member for finance and performance said: “We will ensure that anyone caught stealing money from the council is bought to justice and forced to pay back the money they have fraudulently claimed.
“The latest prosecutions should serve as a warning to any would-be fraudsters – we will catch you and you will be prosecuted.
“These villains aren’t just defrauding the council, they are robbing residents of vital council services, as the money they owe should be being spent on the services we can provide to residents.
Another six people suspected of benefit fraud will be hauled in front of magistrates next month.
Catching benefit cheats and getting back the money owed will help the council fulfil one of its priorities – providing value for money. The other two priorities for the borough are cleaner streets and safer communities.
The three cases have been heard and a summary is below:
Maria Ireland of MacNair Road, Southall pleaded guilty at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on 16 November 2006 and sentenced on 14 December to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was ordered to pay £9,672.68 compensation. She faced nine charges of fraudulently claiming housing benefit tax to the value of £10,075.88.
Sinnakannu Sinnaya, of Park Avenue, Southall was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court and sentenced on 11 December to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for failing to disclose that while receiving housing benefits to a value of £22,000, his landlord was his daughter. He also enlisted help from friends to complete the appropriate forms and denied making a number of attempts to mislead the council by referring to his daughter as the “owner” and not a family member living within the home.
Balinder Dhanoa, of The Drive, Uxbridge pleaded guilty at
Isleworth Court on 6 November 2006. He was ordered to pay a
£300 fine and costs of £2,730. He was charged with three
matters for failing to declare his tenants had vacated his
properties while continuing to receive housing benefits to the
value of £9,000.