GRAVESEND: Community service for benefits cheat (From News Shopper)

GRAVESEND: Community service for benefits cheat

1:12pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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A BENEFITS cheat who illegally claimed £3,700 over four years has been ordered to do 180 hours of community service.

Shamal Najib, of St Patrick’s Gardens, Gravesend, claimed housing and council tax benefits as well as Jobseeker’s Allowance while working as a fruit packer for an employment agency.

Najib, 35, pleaded guilty to five offences of dishonesty.

Dartford Magistrates’ Court heard Najib had failed to declare to both Gravesham Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that he was in employment.

Najib, who has already paid back some of the money, still owes £2,749.60 in benefits he wrongly claimed and must also pay £150 towards court costs.

Gravesham Council’s cabinet member for transformation and finance Councillor Adrian Warburton said: “This again shows that benefits thieves will be caught and prosecuted.”