A Bugle man has ben sentenced for housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud totalling £20,597.01, spanning almost ten years and two separate local authorities.

Roy Rickards , 65, of Carnsmerry, Bugle pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates Court on Tuesday to nine counts of benefit fraud.

Rickards was also ordered to pay the full costs of £832.15 to the council for their time in investigating the case and bringing the matter before the Courts. In addition, he was also ordered to pay a Victim Surcharge of £80.

Cornwall Council led the prosecution against Rickards and included charges in respect of The Vale of White Horse District Council.

Rickards pleaded guilty to seven counts of dishonestly making false statements to the Vale of White Horse District Council in failing to disclose receipt of an occupational pension and a bank account to which the pension was paid into.

He also pleaded guilty to a further two counts of dishonestly making false statements to Cornwall Council in failing to disclose receipt of an occupational pension and a bank account to which the pension was paid into.

Checks confirmed that Mr Rickards had moved down to Cornwall from Oxfordshire and a check with the Vale of White Horse District Council established that Mr Rickards had claimed with them in 2004 and had not disclosed the pension or the bank account, importantly it was established that the pension had in fact been in payment since 2001.

The overpaid benefits are being recovered from Mr Rickards by both Cornwall Council and The Vale of White Horse District Council separately from this Court action.

Cornwall Council operates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to fraud and corruption. If you suspect fraud is occurring call the confidential fraud hotline on freephone 0800 7316125.