Kettering benefits cheat didn't give details of his income

A benefits claimant from Kettering has admitted failing to notify of a change to his income, knowing it would affect his right to handouts.

Simon Singh, 34, appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday) having admitted two counts of dishonestly failing to promptly notify of a change in circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits.

Between August last year and January this year Singh, of St John's Road, failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions the full and accurate details of his income.

Court documents said he knew doing so would affect his entitlement to both Personal Independence Payment and Employment Support Allowance.

How much Singh was earning or how much he received in benefits he was not entitled to was not disclosed in court yesterday.

He was due to be sentenced on Tuesday (July 7) but failed to turn up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Singh was arrested and appeared from custody at Northampton Magistrates' Court yesterday where he admitted another charge of failing to surrender. But because of time constraints he was not able to be sentenced.

When asked why he failed to appear on Tuesday he said: "I got a bit confused about what was going on."

Chairman of the bench Fleur Boynton granted him bail again ahead of his sentencing on August 18 - and warned him he would be arrested if he doesn't show up.

She said: "This is not a turn up if you feel like it.

"This is a turn up because you've been ordered to."

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