Hexham Courant. Generic law court picture. Photo: Pixabay
A MAN has been sentenced for dishonestly claiming benefits.
Paul Rutherford (59), of Castle Road, Prudhoe, pleaded guilty at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court last Thursday to two charges of dishonestly failing to notify change of circumstances affecting social security entitlement.
The court heard he had failed to inform Northumberland County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that his wife had started work which would have affected his claim for housing and employment support. He was given a six-month conditional discharge for each charge, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.
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