Benefit cheat punished after failing to declare work

A FRAUDSTER who claimed he was unable able to work due to ill health while pocketing more than �5,000 in benefits was caught working as a steward.

Investigators found Craig Tulloch was working at the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) club in St Neots even though he had made claims for housing benefit and income support due to illness.

He did not report the work to Huntingdonshire District Council or the Department for Work and Pensions and lived in premises provided for the club steward, despite being registered as living in Beaver Close, Eaton Socon between 2009 and 2011.

The 49-year-old, now of Rose Green, Eaton Socon, pleaded guilty to fraud was given a six-month community order for the offence between January and June 2011.

He was also ordered to undergo a curfew and be monitored by an electronic tag for six months, starting on January 8, as well as pay �200 towards HDC’s legal costs.

Tulloch was deemed unsuitable for unpaid work due to health problems.

Magistrates in Huntingdon heard he had made strenuous efforts to repay the money claimed and had admitted the fraud when interviewed by investigation officers.

INFORMATION: Contact Huntingdonshire District Council’s fraud hotline on 01480 388188, or e-mail fraud.team@huntingdonshire.gov.uk