Suspended prison sentence for benefit cheat who scammed £24k from Brent Council
Driss Benzeroune was found guilty of benefit fraud - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
A benefit cheat who made false claims to pocket more than £24,000 from Brent Council has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Driss Benzeroune pretended he lived in Mordaunt Road, Stonebridge, to defraud £24,328 in housing and council tax benefit payments for 21 months.
Willesden Magistrates Court heard in reality he lived in North Pole Road, north Kensington.
He was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to eight weeks in jail suspended for 12 months.
The fraudster was also ordered to back all the money and carry out 200 hours of community work.
Cllr Roxanne Mashari, lead member for employment and skills at Brent Council, said: “At a time when the council is facing significant reductions to its budgets it is crucial that we work tirelessly to tackle the small minority who claim money from the public purse which they are not entitled to.
“Ensuring that benefits money is protected and only goes to those who genuinely need it is vital.”
