Man guilty of benefit fraud (From Witney Gazette)

Man guilty of benefit fraud

1:54pm Friday 6th October 2006 in Witney

JUSTIN Stratford, 35, of Windrush Close, Witney, was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining £1,364.11 in housing and council tax benefits at Witney Magistrate's Court.

West Oxfordshire District Council prosecuted him for failing to declare changes in his circumstances in order to obtain benefits.

Stratford will be sentenced later this month. The council said it would be seeking to recover the full amount.

Head of revenues at West Oxfordshire District Council, Jon Dearing, said: "Benefit fraud is a crime against every resident of West Oxfordshire."

Anybody with information on someone obtaining benefits fraudulently should contact the benefit fraud hotline, confidentially, on 01993 861234, or visit the council website www.westoxon.gov.uk