West Suffolk resident jailed for fraud

03 Apr 2025

A resident who falsely claimed more than £30,555 in Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit and Guarantee Pension Credit has been jailed.

Tudor Owen, 76, of Churchyard in Mildenhall, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on 26 March 2025, where he pled guilty to three fraud offences.

He admitted a charge of two counts of dishonesty failing to notify a change of circumstances, when he received an inheritance which brought capital above the prescribed limit of £16,000, contrary to the Social Security Administration Act 1992. He also admitted to failing to disclose correct capital held when claiming benefits, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.

The court heard Owen had been in receipt of Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit and Guarantee Pension Credit, all of which he was not entitled to claim. This amounted to an overpayment of £30,555.19 from August 2018 to February 2023.

He was prosecuted by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of Anglia Revenues Partnership and West Suffolk Council, Other charges, heard on the same day, were also brought by the Crown Prosecution Service regarding other offences that were not fraud related.

The court sentenced Owen two 7 month imprisonments (concurrent) for dishonesty in failing to notify a change of circumstances, and 7 months imprisonment (consecutive) for failing to disclose correct capital. Owen’s other offences led to 15 months imprisonment, leading to a total sentence of 22 months imprisonment. He will have to pay back the total amount he fraudulently claimed, with the money being recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Cllr Diane Hind, Cabinet Member for Resources at West Suffolk Council said: “We recognise that there are residents who are experiencing financial difficulties, and support is available to those who genuinely need it. Fraudulent claims harm all West Suffolk taxpayers, adding strain to public services and risking higher costs for everyone. While legal action is a last resort, we will prosecute clear cases of fraud to deter others from abusing the system.”

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 Anglia Revenues Partnership - Cost of living advice.

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