A COUPLE who failed to inform a district council they had more than £37,000 in another bank account while claiming housing benefit and council tax reduction have been fined.

David Earl Hodgson, 62, and Ann Lenore Hodgson, 51, of Mill Farm Cottage, Thormanby, Easingwold, both pleaded guilty to four counts of benefit fraud at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court today. (Monday, January 19)

Mr and Mrs Hodgson were charged with failing to notify Hambleton District Council of a change in circumstance between April 2013 and November 2013, where they had £37,846 in undeclared capital but were still receiving council tax reduction and housing benefit; and between November 2013 and January 2014 they failed to tell the council about a monthly annuity pension payment.

Representing the couple, Laurence Dilworth said it was not a case of dishonesty.

“Mr and Mrs Hodgson volunteered all the information to the council at an interview – there is no suggestion there was any false identity used and the figure they obtained from benefits is less than £5,000," he said.

“They had financial difficulties in 2012 when Mr Hodgson was declared bankrupt and much of the £37,000 was used to pay off debts.”

Laura Venn, prosecuting, said the couple had failed to disclose all forms of income to the council.

She said: “When the lump sum arrived it was put into separate saving accounts, and there was also income from breeding and selling dogs – but the couple accepted they had failed to inform the council when interviewed.”

Mr and Mrs Hodgson fined £1,000, with £292.88 costs and a £100 victim surcharge. They are already repaying overpaid housing benefit of £2,698 and council tax reduction of £760.