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Drivers threatened with jail after benefits fraud

1st March 2001, Page 11
1st March 2001
Page 11
Page 11, 1st March 2001 — Drivers threatened with jail after benefits fraud
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• by Barbara Hagan Haulier Thomas Roberts, who owns JP Hutton of Workington, Cumbria and drivers Barry Rails, James Ray and Kenneth Lennon have been warned that they could be jailed after admitting benefit fraud.

West Allerdale magistrates heard that the three drivers were working for the firm on a casual basis. But two were claiming incapacity benefits and the third was in receipt of the jobseekers allowance. Roberts and the drivers are to be sentenced on 9 March following preparation of reports.

Presiding magistrate Michael Ashbrook said the offences, involving almost £16,000, were so serious that custodial sentences could not be ruled out. Officials from the Department of Social Security say benefit fraud costs the country £2bn a year.

Lennon admitted five offences of making false representations to obtain benefit and asked for a further 64 to be considered; there was an overpayment to him of £8,700.

Ray admitted four similar offences and asked for nine others to be considered; his overpayment was £4,509.

Rails admitted three offences of false representation and asked for SO similar matters to be considered; his overpayment was £2,701.

Roberts admitted two offences of making false representations about his employees. The court heard that the charges followed a lengthy investigation prompted by calls to the National Benefits Hotline which has been running for five years. It transpired that the calls were made by Roberts, who rang the agency and offered details of runs made over the past three years.

Julie Mercer, defending, said this was not a major scale fraud, nor was it pre-meditated. She added that Roberts would call on the drivers as and when they were needed.

After the case, John Lees for the OSS said: This is a successful conclusion to another operation carried out by a specialist team of investigators."


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