Legal News

Crawley Borough Council has prosecuted a man who falsely claimed he was to become homeless.

Imran Malik, 39, presented himself as homeless to Crawley Borough Council – despite having a tenancy in Croydon, where he was also claiming benefits.

Malik did not attend court and the case was heard and proven in his absence.

He was found guilty of three offences under the Housing Act 1996 – including making a false statement on a housing options form on 6 January 2016, stating he was living in the Crawley area.

He also withheld the fact that he was already living in Croydon – and made a further false statement on 8 January 2016, stating he was living in overcrowded conditions in Crawley.

Malik was fined £1,500 for each offence, totalling £4,500 – and was ordered to pay the council’s costs of £1,729, as well as a victim surcharge of £120.

Cabinet member for Housing at Crawley Borough Council, Councillor Stephen Joyce, said:

“It is totally unacceptable for anyone to lie about being homeless to try and gain assistance from the council.”

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