FOUR benefit cheats who stole more than �14,000 between them have been brought to justice at Huntingdon Magistrates Court. In the first case, heard on April 28, David Marsh, 38, of Montagu Street, Eynesbury stood accused that between August 2009 and Novem

FOUR benefit cheats who stole more than �14,000 between them have been brought to justice at Huntingdon Magistrates Court.

In the first case, heard on April 28, David Marsh, 38, of Montagu Street, Eynesbury stood accused that between August 2009 and November 2009 he was overpaid �2154.46 in housing benefit and council tax benefit. One charge of failing to declare work to Huntingdonshire District Council was brought against him. He pleaded guilty at court. He was sentenced to 40 hours unpaid work, 12 months community order and ordered to pay �120 costs.

On the same day, magistrates heard that Marion Cafolla, 29, of Saunders Close, Huntingdon, fraudulently claimed �7,216.06 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and job seekers allowance between September 2006 and June 2008. Cafolla faced five charges of failing to declare work to Huntingdonshire District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. An investigation revealed that Cafolla had worked for Caf� Nero in St Neots between 2006 and 2008 but had failed to declare it. At court she pleaded guilty to all five charges. She was sentenced to a three-month curfew with tagging to remain at her address between the hours of 9pm and 7am every day, as well as being ordered to pay �100 costs.

Pensioner Victor Arnett, 67, of Oak Court, Yaxley, wrongly received �2,200.06 in hand-outs between January 2008 and July 2009. He was charged with one count of failing to declare a second occupational pension. Mr Arnett failed to attend court and in his absence he was found guilty based on the evidence provided by Huntingdonshire District Council. He had already made arrangements to repay the sum overpaid in full. He received a �50 fine and ordered to pay costs of �120.

On May 5, Donna Parsons, 33, of Luddington Close, Great Paxton, was overpaid �2,768.29 between March 2009 and August 2009. One charge was brought against her for failing to declare that her circumstances had changed. Parsons did not attend court initially and was convicted in her absence. When Parsons again failed to attend court, she was arrested and brought to the court where she received a 24-month conditional discharge, was ordered to pay compensation to Huntingdonshire District Council of �2521.11 and costs of �240.

INFORMATION: If you know someone who is claiming benefit when they are not entitled to it you can contact the council's fraud investigation team on 01480 388480 or call the confidential fraud hotline on 01480 388188.