Telford benefit fraudster given 30 week jail sentence
A 46-year-old Telford man has been jailed for 30 weeks for fraudulently obtaining Council Tax Benefit and Income Support to which he was not entitled.
Stephen Coleman, of Damson Drive, The Rock, had been found guilty by a jury at an earlier trial and was sentenced today by Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Also found guilty was 40 year old Nicola Coleman, of the same address. She was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months. She was given a 12 month supervision order.
They had dishonestly claimed Council Tax Benefit of £6,394.99 and Income Support of £38,888 over a period of 9 years.
Council Tax Benefit was falsely claimed by the couple between April 2002 and March 2011.
A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that Nicola Coleman submitted false information to Telford & Wrekin Council on claim forms over the 9 year period to obtain Council Tax Benefit.
Mrs Coleman told the council that she was a lone parent and her ex-husband Stephen Coleman was her landlord.
Stephen Coleman assisted the deception by providing false tenancy agreements, rent books and a letter purporting to be the landlord and claiming that he did not live at the address with his wife.
He was given an immediate 30 week jail sentence for his part in the deception.
