Bushey man pleads guilty to £12,000 benefit fraud (From Watford Observer)

Andrew Sabapathy from Bushey pleads guilty to £12,000 benefit fraud

2:30pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Kathryn Snowdon, Reporter

An NHS worker from Bushey has been warned that he could face prison after claiming more than £12,000 in unentitled housing benefit.

Andrew Sabapathy, of Windmill Street, pleaded guilty to four charges of knowingly failing to report changes in his circumstances which would affect his housing and council tax benefit entitlement yesterday.

Mr Sabapathy, 28, failed to tell the council’s benefit officers that his wife had started work for Barchester Health Care Ltd and then Kestral Grove Nursing Home.

He also failed to inform them that he had received a pay rise from West Hertfordshire NHS Primary Care Trust and that his brother was living with him and his wife, and contributing to the rent.

Watford Magistrates Court heard Sabapathy had claimed £12,457 in nearly three years.

Officers discovered the overpayments after an investigation revealed that Mrs Sabapathy was working for the nursing home.

Sabapathy was told he could face prison by the magistrate and granted unconditional bail.

He will appear at St Albans Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 4 for sentencing.