Man jailed for £30,000 benefit fraud

Amin Mutyaba, of Buttsgrove Way, Huntingdon, was sentenced to eight months custody at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court for benefit fraud totalling more than £31,000 following a joint investigation conducted by Huntingdonshire District Council and The Department of Work and Pensions.

Mutyaba had claimed benefit at his shared ownership property with Luminus stating he was a single person. However, following information provided to the Council that Mutyaba was subletting part of the property, an investigation commenced. This showed that 50 different people were linked to the address between 2008 and 2014, and that Mutyaba had been sub-letting rooms at his address and had failed to declare the rental income he had received to the Council and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Mutyaba had also claimed a Single Person Discount for his Council Tax for the entire period in question. Mutyaba, who was overpaid benefit totalling £31,620.28, was sentenced to eight months custody and will need to pay back the full amount of overpaid benefit.

John Taylor, Head of Customer Services, said: “I am pleased this case has been successfully concluded. The hard work of the Council’s Fraud Team has paid off and the judgement shows how seriously fraud is taken, not only by the Council but the courts as well. We continue to protect the public purse and are always grateful to the public for supplying us with information and I’d encourage others to come forward if they have similar concerns, all allegations received will be looked at.”

Mutyaba (66) pleaded guilty to five charges of benefit fraud between August 2011 and December 2014.