Taxi Driver Online

eptember 13, 2007 Thursday

Taxi driver used scam to pay fees

Sutton Guardian

A Worcester Park taxi driver fraudulently claimed more than £7,000 in housing and council tax benefits to help pay his daughter's school fees.

Chelliah Senthilkumar, 49, from Rushmere Court, pleaded guilty at Dorking Magistrates' Court last month to three offences of dishonesty after fraudulently claiming the benefits while working as a self-employed minicab driver.

When interviewed by a council investigation officer he admitted claiming the benefits while working. During the time of the offences his daughter had been attending a private school costing more than £450 a month.

At a hearing on September 3, Mr Senthilkumar was given a 12-month community punishment order and ordered to carry out 50 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £350 costs to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

Mr Senthilkumar had repaid the benefits he claimed prior to being sentenced, the court heard.

Councillor Keith Mann, chairman of the council's strategy and resources committee, said: "The council will continue to take strong action against people who commit deliberate fraud."
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