Ascot Benefit Cheat Sentenced

The Royal Borough has successfully carried out a benefit fraud prosecution involving overpayments of more than £51,000 to a former Ascot resident. The Benefit cheat has received a  12-month suspended sentence:

This case arose after Royal Borough benefit officers found evidence suggesting that Elizabeth Diminic-Parmar, who was living at Grand Regency Heights, Ascot, had failed to declare an income while claiming income support, housing and council tax benefits.  At Reading Crown Court on Tuesday 30 March Elizabeta Diminic-Parmar, 33, now living in Binfield, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of benefit fraud – eight of failing to notify the Royal Borough of a change in her circumstances, one for failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions and one of falsifying a document to the Royal Borough.

At Reading Crown Court on Friday 14 May she was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months and 250 hours community service, and was ordered to pay £50,000 in compensation.

The benefit overpayments, totalling £51,152.15 – £2,662.11 in income support, £47,388.85 in housing benefit and £1,101.19 in council tax benefit – were received between 2 July 2004 and 19 May 2008. The offences are contrary to Sections 111A (1)a and 111A(1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and Section 17 of the Theft Act 1968.

Cllr Richard Kellaway, lead member for finance, said: “This is the latest in a long line of successful prosecutions by the borough against benefit cheats and should serve as a warning – those who intentionally defraud the taxpayer are very likely to be found out.

“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.