A benefit fraudster has been handed a fine and a community order of unpaid work after being prosecuted.
Sedgemoor District Council successfully prosecuted Robert Karlsson (61) of Waliscote Road, Weston for failing to declare that he had sub-let his SHAL-owned property (Sedgemoor Housing Association Ltd) at Mulholland Way in Highbridge while claiming housing and council tax benefit.
Mr Karlsson appeared before Taunton Magistrates Court on Monday (25th November) where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
Having taken his guilty plea into consideration, he was sentenced to a community order of 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £150 towards the council’s costs.
Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Sedgemoor District Council has a zero-tolerance for benefit fraud. The Council works with a whole host of different sources to continue to fight benefit fraud, which costs £1.5 billion nationally.”
“Information comes into the council in various ways; including calls from the general public, data matching exercises, council staff, the Police and the Department for Work and Pensions.”
Members of the public who have concerns regarding benefit fraudsters within the Burnham area can provide information by calling the Fraud Hotline on 0845 408 2540.
