Radcliffe man found guilty of cheating the benefits system

Date published: 07 July 2008

A Radcliffe Resident has been found guilty of cheating the benefits system at a
court hearing on 2 July at Bury Magistrates Court.

Gareth Jacobs, aged 25, of Blackburn Street, Radcliffe failed to attend court,
but was found guilty of obtaining benefits by deception. Mr Jacobs claimed that
he was unemployed and eligible to receive Housing Benefit and Council Tax
Benefit.

The truth was uncovered when Council Officers undertook a series of data
matching checks and found records indicated that Mr Jacobs had been employed
since February 2007, as a Granite Polisher, earning upto £500 per week.

Council staff interviewed Mr Jacobs about the allegations and he claimed he had
told council staff of his new personal circumstances and that he had paid his
rent since starting work. Investigators checked out his story and discovered
that Jacobs had not contacted his landlord since December 2006 and visitor logs
and phone records indicated that he had not made contact with the council
either.

The matter was taken to Court and Mr Jacobs was charged £515.00, pay court
costs of £312.76 as well as repay the £1299.71 benefit overpayment.

Councillor Peter Redstone, Executive Member for Resource and Performance, said
"Benefit Fraud is a real problem and individuals committing offences will be
caught. We will do all we can to protect council tax payers money and ensure
that it is spent on vital public services".