Two Gateshead men who between them fraudulently claimed almost £5,500 in benefits were dealt with by Gateshead Magistrates yesterday.
Both Andrew Cox, 29 of Kells Lane, Gateshead and Leslie Bell, 63 of Howe Street, Gateshead were found guilty of continuing to claim benefits they were not entitled to.
Mr Cox, who failed to appear in court was found guilty in his absence of failing to inform benefits officers when he ceased claiming job seekers allowance. He had fraudulently claimed £605 in housing benefits and £107.24 in council tax benefits which was discovered during routine checks by benefits officers.
Mr Cox was handed a £125 fine and ordered to pay £100 in costs by magistrates.
Mr Bell pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming £3,985 in housing benefit and £839.33 in council tax benefit after continuing to claim benefits after returning to work after long term sickness.
The case was discovered by benefits officers carrying out routine checks on residents in receipt of long term sickness pay. Mr Bell was continuing to claim benefits only due to him whilst receiving sickness pay despite having returned to full time employment.
Magistrates gave credit to Mr Bell for his early guilty plea and fined him £65 plus £50 in court costs.
Gateshead Council strategic director of finance and ICT Derek Coates said: “Benefits officers use every method at their disposal to check on claims and this is another excellent result for our investigations team. All of the taxpayers money unlawfully claimed by these two men will now be paid back and I hope it sends a clear message to fraudsters that there is nowhere to hide.”