A husband and wife who swindled Basildon Council out of £5,000 in benefits have narrowly avoided prison sentences.

Raymond and Jean Robertson, of Littlebury Green, Basildon, admitted 28 charges of fraud over five years.

The pair failed to notify the council of their joint bank account and the fact Mrs Robertson worked full time, Basildon Magistrates' Court heard. The council grew suspicious and began investigating the couple, who both claimed housing and council tax benefits.

Barry Myers, presiding, said: "These are undoubtedly very serious charges indeed, and I can understand why there have been calls for a possible custodial sentence.

"However, we have to look at the big picture. This would put a burden on society.

"We feel the situation would be best dealt with by way of a community punishment order."

Mr Robertson was sentenced to a 160-hour community punishment order over 12 months and Mrs Roberts also to 160 hours.

They were also ordered to pay costs of £2,150 and repay, in full, the money they had defrauded.

Derek Hoare, revenue manager at Basildon Council, said after the hearing: "I hope people will take note of the severity of this sentence and think twice before defrauding the council."

Published Thursday May 27, 2004

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