Successful prosecution for fraud
Posted on: 10 January 2025
A Tewkesbury Borough resident has been prosecuted for fraudulently claiming council tax reduction, housing benefit and pension credit.
Larry Gough, of Lambert Terrace, Shurdington fraudulently claimed over £2,200 in council tax reduction and £8,285.61 housing benefit from Tewkesbury Borough Council, and £11,726.33 in pension credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
At a hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on 3 December 2024, Mr Gough pleaded guilty to one charge under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 of making a false representation to obtain council tax reduction.
He failed to notify the council or the DWP that he was in employment as both a taxi driver and a delivery driver and his failure to declare this has resulted in an incorrect reduction of his council tax liability totalling £2,212.37 for the period 14 September 2020 – 23 August 2023.
Mr Gough also pleaded guilty to offences of dishonestly making a false representation in order to obtain a benefit contrary to s.111A(1)(a) Social Security Administration Act 1992 in respect of claims for pension credit and housing benefit. He fraudulently claimed pension credit totalling £11,726.33 and housing benefit totalling £8,285.61.
Mr Gough was sentenced on 8 January 2025 at Gloucester Crown Court to a 12-month community order to undertake 80 hours unpaid work for all offences. In addition, he was ordered to pay £95 surcharge.
The investigation was carried out by officers from the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit of Tewkesbury Borough Council, working with colleagues from the DWP, after the council received reports regarding Mr Gough’s circumstances. The prosecution was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service on behalf of the DWP in connection with claims for pension credit and housing benefit.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for Finance and Asset Management, Councillor Stewart Dove, said “Tewkesbury Borough Council is committed to ensuring that public funds are used appropriately and that those who attempt to defraud the system are held accountable.
“This successful prosecution demonstrates our dedication to protecting the integrity of our welfare system and supporting those who genuinely need assistance.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicions of fraud to help us maintain fairness and justice in our community.”
Members of the public can contact the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit with any concerns about council tax or benefit fraud by emailing fraud.referrals@cotswold.gov.uk
