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Benefit fiddler in court
A MAN claimed nearly £5,000 in illegal benefits payments, magistrates in north Worcestershire were told.
Geoffrey Kirby, 65, of Austin Road, Bromsgrove, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to give prompt notification of a change in his circumstances.
He claimed £4,938 in housing and council tax benefit from June 2005 to November 2007, Redditch magistrates were told.
Kirby wqas sentenced to a 12-month supervised community order and awarded £100 costs to Bromsgrove District Council.
A council spokeswoman said any suspected fraud could be reported to the authority by e-mail to hotline@bromsgrove. gov.uk, or by phone on 01527 881221.
"It is extremely important that benefit recipients declare their full circumstances when making claims to benefits. "They should also report any changes to their household and financial details as soon as they occur."
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