Benefit cheat claimed housing benefit while renting out property

A Sunninghill man has been given two suspended jail sentences and ordered to carry out 200 hours community service after a court found him guilty of claiming housing benefit while renting out a property.

Nour Eddin Tantash, 32, of London Road, received housing benefit overpayments of £11,535.97 between 14 May 2007 and 24 August 2009.

At Reading Crown Court on 18 August Mr Tantash pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to Section 111A(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. At the same court yesterday (Wednesday 22 September) he was sentenced to four months in jail suspended for 18 months for each offence. Mr Tantash also has to complete 200 hours of community service.

Mr Tantash had dishonestly made false statements in that he failed to declare the ownership of a property and the rental income from that property when making his claim for housing benefit in May 2007.

The case arose as a result of information received from a Royal Borough benefits team visiting officer.

The Royal Borough also applied for a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2006, which gives local authorities the means to recoup money lost through criminal activity. This will be heard on 26 January 2011.

Cllr Richard Kellaway, lead member for finance, said: "This was a conscious effort to line his own pocket at the expense of council taxpayers and the sentence reflects this. Hopefully it will serve as a warning to anyone who is considering a similar course of action.

"I would strongly advise anyone who has received overpayments to contact us as soon as possible so that the issue can be resolved."

The council's confidential and free Beat the Cheat line for reporting suspected benefit fraud incidents is on 0500 353300.

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