Two fined over council tax benefit fraud

Two people received fines and costs and have to pay back thousands of pounds after admitting fraudulently claiming Council Tax Support for years while they were actually working.

Shaun Emery, 46, from Biggleswade, started to claim the benefit in March 2014 on the basis he had no earnings but the fraud team discovered he was in work the following month.

He has to re-pay £3,131.66 for the discount he received, and Luton Magistrates’ Court ordered him to pay costs of £564, a victim surcharge of £44 and fined him £442.

Lynne Morris, 51, of Spoondell, Dunstable started claiming in December 2016 although the fraud team found she too had also been working.

She has to pay back £3,118.96 as well as pay costs of £470, a victim surcharge of £39 and a fine of £390 imposed at the same hearing.

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