Fraudster brought to justice

A Rochdale man has been found guilty of falsely claiming £2769.40 in Housing and Council Tax benefits.

Mansoor Hussain, aged 56 of Ashfield Road, Rochdale was brought to justice at Rochdale Magistrates Court after being found guilty of four charges.

Investigators found that Mr Hussain, a taxi driver, had failed to declare his son was in full-time employment.

At court, Hussain denied being dishonest, claiming that he was unaware that his son had been in employment for four years, despite the fact his son living at home with him. Magistrates ruled that the evidence proved Mr Hussain’s actions were fraudulent and he was found guilty on all four charges.

Mr Hussain was sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work within the community, and he was ordered to pay full costs of £1915.48 at £40 a week.

Councillor Greg Couzens, holder of the Finance Portfolio for Rochdale Council, said: “Fraudsters such as this will be dealt with by the Courts. Our policy to prosecute any claimant who is blatantly committing fraud will continue, and we stand by our campaign of ‘No Ifs, No Buts’ to safeguard the honest taxpayers of Rochdale."