West Suffolk resident given Community Order for Council Tax fraud

12 Mar 2025

A resident who falsely claimed more than £4,200 in Council Tax support has been given a 12 month Community Order.

Steven Ruddy, 40, of The Street in Great Livermere, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court on 3 March 2025, when he pled guilty to three fraud offences.

He admitted a charge of two counts of failing to declare that he was in receipt of income from self-employment, that would affect his entitlement, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006. He also admitted to failing to promptly notify and declare a change in circumstances regarding the self-employment income, contrary to Regulation 8 of the Council Tax Reduction Schemes Regulations 2013.

The court heard Ruddy had been in receipt of Council Tax Support since May 2019.

His fraud amounted to an overpayment of £4,207.60 in Council Tax Support paid out between May 2019 and September 2021.

He was prosecuted by Anglia Revenues Partnership on behalf of West Suffolk Council.

The court ordered that he undertake a 12 month Community Order, which comprises of 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and pay £800 towards the prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £114. 

Cllr Diane Hind, Cabinet Member for Resources at West Suffolk Council said: “We understand that there are residents who are facing financial difficulties and assistance is available to them. It is essential that we continue to prioritise Council Tax Support for residents who genuinely need it. 

“Fraudulent cases like these are directly against all fellow West Suffolk taxpayers. They place an additional pressure on public services and risk higher costs for everyone else. Pursuing legal action is always a last resort, but when fraud is evident, we will prosecute so that they serve as a deterrent to others.”

Residents facing financial difficulties should contact Anglia Revenues Partnership to explore the available support options. Advice and information on the help available can be found at: ARP - Cost of Living Advice

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