Llandudno Junction man pleads guilty to benefit fraud

Dec 29 2008 By Richard Evans

A LLANDUDNO Junction man has pleaded guilty to failing to promptly notify the council about a change of circumstances in order to obtain benefits.

At Llandudno Magistrates Court Lee Anthony Deacon of Woodlands pleaded guilty to two charges of making a false statement and eight charges of failing to notify a change in his circumstances to obtain benefit.

An investigation started as a result of an anonymous phone call alleging Mr Deacon was working at Asda in Llandudno. Investigators from Conwy County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DPW) identified Mr Deacon had been working at the store since November 2007.

The court heard how Mr Deacon had failed to promptly notify Conwy County Council and the depDPW that he had started work. The court also heard how Mr Deacon provided false information to the council in relation to the actual date his employment had begun.

As a result of not declaring the work, Mr Deacon was overpaid housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support amounting to over £1,760 for the period between November 28 2007 and March 17 2008.

Mr Deacon was sentenced to a community punishment order of 180 hours unpaid work to be carried out within the next 12 months. He will also be required to repay the overpayment of benefits in full.

To report suspected instances of benefit fraud phone Conwy County Council’s investigation team on 01492 576612.