Pensioner in £24,000 benefit fraud

A PENSIONER fraudulently claimed more than £24,000 in benefits while making money from his own business.

Haidar Meah, 76, from Cardiff, was previously given an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years, after admitting two counts of benefit fraud.

His case was listed for a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act before Judge Stephen Hopkins QC at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday.

The court previously heard he failed to tell Cardiff council he was receiving income from running his own business while claiming council tax benefit.

That charge related to the period between December 2011 and March 2013.

Prosecutors said he was under a legal duty to disclose the information and intended to make a gain for himself by failing to inform the council of his circumstances.

Meah also claimed pension credit during the four-year period between December 2010 and December 2014.

The court heard he failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about the income from his business.

Both counts were charged under sections one and three of the Fraud Act 2006.

Meah, from Bangor Street in Roath, Cardiff, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court to two counts of benefit fraud.

He accepted dishonestly failing to disclose information, intending to make a gain for himself.

Christopher Evans, prosecuting, said he made £24,034.19 from his criminal activity.

The court heard he had £130,086.51 of assets available.

Andrew Kendall, defending, said the figures were agreed between the prosecution and the defence.

Meah was joined in the dock by a Bengali interpreter for the brief hearing.

Mr Evans asked the judge to make a confiscation order for £24,034.19 and made an application for £425 towards prosecution costs.

Judge Hopkins made the orders and said the defendant must pay within the next three months.