Crime Solicitors

Isleworth Crown Court has sentenced a woman who fraudulently claimed Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

On 28 July, Joyce Abboud pleaded guilty to one count of dishonestly claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit, which she and her husband Youssef Abboud – of Shalfleet Drive in west London – claimed in 2005.

Mrs Abboud told the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea that Mr Abboud was earning an average of £100 per week from his used car dealership Abboud Ltd. However, the council discovered from the couple’s accountant that the dealership was far more financially successful than the pair had declared to the council, with a turnover of between £600,000 and £1 million.

The couple also had a number of undeclared personal and business bank accounts, which they had used to hide the true level of their income from the council, the court heard.

Mrs Abboud was called in for an interview under caution with council fraud investigators in February 2013. During her interview, she admitted that extra income would lead to a reduction in – or the cessation of – Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

She initially pleaded not guilty, but changed her plea to guilty on what would have been the first day of her trial.

As well as a suspended sentence, Mrs Abboud was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.


Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud, including fraud relating to:

• Blue Badge Fraud
• Child Tax Credits
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credits
• PIP
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credits.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid criminal defence lawyers.

For expert legal advise on all benefit fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 020 7923 4020.