A FRAUDSTER who falsely claimed £40,000 in benefits has been jailed.
Marcus Conrad Towey of Baker Drive in Wellesbourne received a 15 month sentence for fraud offences against the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Stratford District Council (SDC).
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court and admitted making false statements to claim housing and council tax benefits, income support and incapacity benefits for two-and-a-half years.
Towey kept information from officials and failed to declare he had a job and had married, with his new wife also in employment.
The information was discovered during an investigation to which he cited his ill-health as a defence, claiming to have found a job after his incapacity benefit was stopped.
He has agreed with the district council to repay his debt.
SDC spokesman for housing, Coun Maurice Howse, said: “The benefits system is there for people who need it.
“Continuing to claim benefits despite no longer being entitled to them is fraud.
“This is a serious crime against tax-payers and those genuinely entitled to claim benefits.
“This successful prosecution is down to the hard work of the fraud teams at the district council and Department of Work and Pensions and demonstrates benefit fraud will not be tolerated.”
To report suspicious housing benefit or council tax benefit claims email [email protected] or call 01789 260486 anonymously.
