A COUNCIL has vowed to continue cracking down on benefit fraud after three men admitted stealing thousands of pounds from taxpayers.

South Lakeland District Council prosecuted the men after fraud officers’ suspicions were raised while checking high-interest bank accounts.

James Walsh, 43, of Newby Bridge, pleaded guilty to claiming £12,742 in housing and council tax benefit between July 2009 and July 2011 while he was employed – earning more than £40,000 annually.

He was sentenced to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay the money back in full, plus £200 court costs.

Ian Bevins, 56, of Leather Lane, Ulverston, pleaded guilty to five charges of benefit fraud, totalling more than £23,700 for housing and council tax benefit.

He did not reveal having ‘significant savings’ that could have been used to pay rent and council tax.

Bevins was sentenced to a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, 250 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £560 costs. He has since repaid the over-payment in full.

Robert Matthews, 66, of Waterclose, Backbarrow, admitted dishonestly making a false representation to claim benefits totalling more than £11,500.

He also failed to declare the full extent of his savings.

Matthews was made subject to a community order for 12 months, including 160 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay costs of £355.

He has paid the benefit money back in full.

All three were sentenced at Barrow Magistrates’ Court.

Coun Graham Vincent, SLDC’s portfolio holder for resources, said: “The council will continue to take a tough stance on benefit fraud.

“We will always prosecute where deliberate fraud is uncovered, as that is only fair to the vast majority of people who are law-abiding council tax payers.

“If people have made genuine mistakes and are having problems understanding the benefit system, they should talk to the council, or one of the advice agencies and get help as quickly as possible.

“People caught cheating the benefit system face an unlimited fine, or up to seven years’ imprisonment, or both.”