Warning to benefit fraudsters after council investigation traps cheating couple

South Norfolk Council has warned there will be no hiding place for fraudsters after successfully prosecuting a couple for a £9,500 Housing and Council Tax Benefit scam.

The no-nonsense message from South Norfolk Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Garry Wheatley, comes after the Hethersett couple were found guilty in separate court hearings.

Mr Anton Davidson and Mrs Debby Davidson, formerly of 17, Priory Close, Hethersett were successfully prosecuted following an investigation by the Council Fraud Team.

Councillor Wheatley said:

“Fraud against the council is fraud against every council tax payer. If anyone knows of anything they believe our team should be following up - they can call us free and in confidence on 0800 389 6109.

"This is a good example of what we mean by being businesslike and efficient."

The couple claimed to have a low income as market traders, but the Council’s Fraud Team discovered that they actually worked in other jobs.

The team uncovered the fraud from a data matching exercise working with partner organisations.

Mrs Davidson pleaded guilty at Norwich Magistrates Court on June 14 to five counts of dishonesty and was sentenced to a 12 month Community Service Order with a requirement to do 120 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Davidson pleaded guilty at Norwich Crown Court on the June 19 to four counts of dishonesty and was sentenced to a two year conditional discharge.

Both were ordered to pay £150 costs.

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