Homes deals man jailed for benefits fraud

A property developer who conned the authorities out of more than £47,000 in benefits despite owning four homes has been jailed for 12 months.

Arjan Singh claimed council tax benefits and income support over four years while buying and selling houses in the West Bromwich area, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. But on benefit application forms to Sandwell Council and the Department of Work and Pensions he insisted he was out of work.

He told officials he had no capital and no properties other than his home.

The 53-year-old's initial claims, between 1999 and 2002, were legitimate, the court heard. But in July 2002 Singh bought a house in Johnson Street and failed to disclose the purchase to the relevant authorities.

The father-of-two sold the house in July 2003 and bought a property in Carters Green for £75,000, again keeping quiet about his property dealings. A few months later, in November, he sold the Johnson Street house for £100,000, the court heard.

In April the following year the former jeweller rebought the Johnson Street property for £82,000, yet when a council officer on a routine visit called at his home in May to check the validity of his benefit claim, Singh asserted that he had no capital, despite making an £18,000 profit from the sale and re-purchase of Johnson Street.

In October, he bought yet another property, this time in Linden Avenue and in May 2005 he also bought a house in Great Bridge Street.

In November, he sold the Johnson Street property for £150,000, 11 days later filling in a council tax benefits form stating he had no capital. In May 2006 he bought a house in Brett Street.

Jas Mann, defending, said Singh, who pleaded guilty to 20 charges involving fraudulent benefit claims, was "deeply embarrassed" by his actions and had now repaid just over £20,000.

Although Singh's behaviour was "appalling", Mr Mann claimed he had a limited understanding of written English.