Claimed Benefits While Still Working | North East Lincolnshire Council

Planning Officer Intended To Pay The Money Back

A North East Lincolnshire Council planning officer has been fined for falsely obtaining benefits.

Mark Mosley (42), of Orchard Close, Louth, admitted three offences of claiming income support falsely and asked for four others to be taken into consideration.

The offences were committed between August and October last year.

At Louth Magistrates Court he was fined £50 for each offence and was ordered to pay costs of £75.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Department of Social Security, Mark Robinson said the defendant had signed a claims statement in April last year that he had ceased work and had two dependant children but he carried on claiming after he started working for the council on August 27.

Mr Robinson said officers from the Department of Work and Pensions made enquiries about the claims for Working Family Tax Credits.

They contacted North East Lincolnshire Council which confirmed he had been working with the council from August 27.

The amount of money claimed falsely amounted to £544, the court heard.

Representing himself, Mosley said he had not expected his first month’s wage until September.

He said: “I realised it was wrong and it was dishonest and I apologise to the court and the officers. I fully expected to get the opportunity to pay the money back. It was to support myself and my two children when I was going for a new job.”

He said he was hoping to retain his job, for which he takes home £1,197 a month.

Sentencing Mosley, presiding magistrate Ron Roberts said magistrates had considered a penalty where he might have to work for the community, but because of the low level of money taken and his early plea, they opted for a financial penalty of £150 and costs in addition.

Following the court case, a North East Lincolnshire Council spokeswoman said: “This is an internal matter and we will deal with it in accordance with council policies and procedures.”

Source: Grimsby Telegraph (02/08/2003)