Two people from Wiltshire have been sentenced for dishonestly claiming benefits.

One admitted to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain payments while the other indicated a guilty plea to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstance affecting their entitlement to social security benefits.

Michael Markham, of High Street in Warminster, claimed to the Department for Work and Pensions on October 19, 2019, that he only had two bank accounts and his savings were below £6,000 – namely £3,400 – when this was not in fact the case in an attempt to get housing benefit.

At Bath Law Courts on February 7, 2024, the 77-year-old received a 12-week prison sentence which has been suspended for 12 months, and must pay £154 to fund victim services.

John Verral, of Black Acre in Corsham, did not notify Wiltshire Council between July 10, 2017, and November 11, 2022, that his circumstances had changed in a way that would affect his entitlement to housing benefit, namely that he was now working and in receipt of earnings.

On October 11, 2023 at Swindon Magistrates' Court, the 71-year-old received a community order that requires him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and pay £85 in court costs as well as £95 to fund victim services.