Man ordered to pay for frauldulent claims

19/07/2007

Today, following an application by the CPS, a confiscation order in excess of £40,000 was made against William North, 58, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The order was made under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002 (POCA).

North pleaded guilty to fraudulent benefit claims of £5,892 and was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, back in February 2007.

Steve Ash, Senior Crown Prosecutor and Proceeds of Crime Act specialist said: "What makes this case particularly noteworthy is that North pleaded guilty to in effect, defrauding the taxpayer of £5,892, however the prosecution were able to obtain a confiscation order against North for in excess of £40,000, this being money in his bank account.  This was because he did not contest the application and so accepted he was unable to prove to the court that he had come by this money lawfully.

"As the money is in North's bank account, which had previously been frozen by a court order obtained by the CPS, this means payment in full will follow."