A man has been prosecuted and sentenced for fraudulently claiming council tax reduction, housing benefit and pension credit. Larry Gough, of Lambert Terrace, Shurdington, fraudulently claimed more than £2,200 in council tax reduction and £8,285.61 housing benefit from Tewkesbury Borough Council, and £11,726.33 in pension credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
At a hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court Gough pleaded guilty to one charge under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 of making a false representation to obtain council tax reduction.
He failed to notify the council or the DWP that he was in employment as both a taxi driver and a delivery driver and his failure to declare this has resulted in an incorrect reduction of his council tax liability totalling £2,212.37 for the period September 14, 2020 to August 23, 2023.
Gough also pleaded guilty to offences of dishonestly making a false representation in order to obtain a benefit contrary to s.111A(1)(a) Social Security Administration Act 1992 in respect of claims for pension credit and housing benefit. He fraudulently claimed pension credit totalling £11,726.33 and housing benefit totalling £8,285.61.
Two people, including the mother, have been charged over the death of a baby and are due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Friday, January 11
(Image: Gloucestershire Echo and Gloucester Citizen)
Gough was sentenced on January 8, 2025 at Gloucester Crown Court to a 12-month community order to undertake 80 hours unpaid work for all offences. In addition, he was ordered to pay £95 surcharge.
The investigation was carried out by officers from the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit of Tewkesbury Borough Council, working with colleagues from the DWP, after the council received reports regarding Mr Gough’s circumstances. The prosecution was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service on behalf of the DWP in connection with claims for pension credit and housing benefit.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for Finance and Asset Management, Councillor Stewart Dove, said “Tewkesbury Borough Council is committed to ensuring that public funds are used appropriately and that those who attempt to defraud the system are held accountable.
“This successful prosecution demonstrates our dedication to protecting the integrity of our welfare system and supporting those who genuinely need assistance. We encourage residents to report any suspicions of fraud to help us maintain fairness and justice in our community.”
Members of the public can contact the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit with any concerns about council tax or benefit fraud by emailing fraud.referrals@cotswold.gov.uk
Join Gloucestershire Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Gloucestershire Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Gloucestershire Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.