Stiff sentence for deception and benefit fraud
Release date: 22 January 2010
Council leader, Councillor Barry Rickman, said today: "The council has a duty to protect the public purse and will rigorously pursue anybody through the courts that is discovered defrauding the council."
Victor Anthony Tee (aged 61, from Westbourne, Bournemouth) was sentenced to five years imprisonment at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday 21 January for being complicit in benefit and mortgage fraud with a Catherine Simpson (aged 54 and previously of Ringwood) and for masterminding a financial scam, which led him to be charged and convicted on 14 counts of avoiding liability by deception.
New Forest District Council commenced investigations in 2007 into Simpson's claim for benefit when questions arose about her alleged tenancy of a property in Ibsley, Ringwood. The council discovered that Simpson actually owned the property, bought in 2005 for £475,000, using an alias, and was assisted by Tee in obtaining both the mortgage and housing benefit for the property. Further investigation highlighted that fraud in relation to other financial crimes had been committed and the New Forest District Council passed the case to Hampshire Constabulary for further investigation. For her part in the fraud, which included housing benefit fraud against Bournemouth Borough Council, Simpson received a 12 month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months and community punishment order of 240 hours. The judge warned Simpson that if she failed to meet these obligations she would be bought back before the court and sent to prison.
It transpired that Tee had conceived and actioned a plan that misdirected bailiffs acting for banks and other financial institutions in an attempt to frustrate the debt collection process in hope that the banks would ultimately write his client's debts off. A further two co-defendants were found guilty of the same charge and were also sentenced for evading liability by deception. Sheila Madden (aged 56 and from Kent) received a 12 month custodial sentence suspended for two years and Karen Watton (aged 52 and also from the Bournemouth area) received a 40 week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months together with an 18 month supervision order.
Steve Cranston, audit manager for New Forest District Council, said: "The commitment and support from Hampshire Constabulary has been exemplary and demonstrates what can be achieved through joint working relationships."
Cllr Rickman, said: "This case demonstrates the results that are possible through thorough investigation and joint working, and supports the council's stated position of 'zero tolerance to fraud'.
"The council welcomes any information from those who believe that fraud is being committed. It can be reported anonymously on the 24 hour hotline number 0800 085 1637. Alternatively, information can also be passed to the council via the website – newforest.gov.uk on the 'Report Fraud' online form.