Benefit cheats to pay back £20k

Raghbir Singh, aged 39, and Amarjit Kaur, 37, of Castle Street, lied on their claims form by stating they were not related to their landlord, when in fact it was Singh's father.

As a result they were able to claim both housing and council tax benefit, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

But Sandwell Council discovered the truth and the couple were interviewed separately about their claim, both admitting seven counts of dishonestly making a false statement. They made the claim between April 2004 and February 2009.

Mr Jonathan Challinor, prosecuting, said: "There were seven occasions when they made a joint application for housing and council tax benefits.

"In each of the claims the form asked the question if they were related to their landlord.

"They said they were not related."

Mr Jasvir Mann, defending Kaur, a carer, said his client did not lie on the claims form to "enrich" her life.

"She is a decent, hardworking individual," he said. "This was a very serious blip." He added the couple had to sell their family home in 2004 after Singh lost his job and began living in rented properties.

Mr Mann called unemployed Singh a "waster" and said: "If he gets off his backside and gets employment they can pay the money back."

Miss Kate Thomas, defending Singh, said: "This was not for profit-making."

Judge Michael Dudley told the pair: "You have brought misfortune on yourself by telling silly lies."

The pair were given supervision orders for two years and ordered to pay back the £20,128.