Ashbrittle man, Peter Kemp, has been ordered to complete 100 hours community service for dishonestly climing more than £2,000 in benefits without disclosing he was living with a partner who had a job
Peter Kemp, of Mayfield Terrace, Wiveliscombe, pleaded guilty to failing to inform the district council’s Housing Benefit Department and the Department of Works and Pensions that he was living with his partner who was working when he made claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance.
As well as receiving community service, Mr Kemp was also ordered to pay £170 in costs. He apologised to the court. Taunton Magistrates Court heard that Mr Kemp had claimed £1,227.90 in Housing Benefit, £227.88 in Council Tax Benefit and £1,135.40 in Jobseekers’ Allowance to which he was not entitled.
After the case, Wellington mayor Vivienne Stock-Williams, who holds the Borough Council’s Corporate Resources portfolio, said: “Housing and Council benefits, as well as Jobseekers Allowance, are there to help people in need and should not be abused. I hope that this case will send out a clear message to anyone attempting to claim benefits illegally from Taunton Deane Borough Council.”