NEWS RELEASES
In court for false statement
11th April 2007
TWO PEOPLE have been in court and found guilty of making a false statement when applying to a Council for housing.
On 5 April at Horsham Magistrates Court, Lisa Wilcox and Andrew Pulham, both previously from Horsham and now of Horley in Surrey, were accused of making a false statement to Horsham District Council when applying for housing.
The false statement, which was that Ms Wilcox was pregnant when she knew she was not, was made in an attempt to establish priority need for accommodation when there would otherwise have been none.
Both defendants attended court and pleaded guilty, so the case was disposed of at the earliest opportunity.
In such cases, the Magistrates take into account the early plea when sentencing, and the fine imposed is less than it would have been had there been the need for further hearings.
Accordingly the defendants were each fined £150 and each ordered to pay £150 costs.
Carolyn Antill, Head of Housing at Horsham District Council, said:
“Our staff detected this false statement and took action straight away.
“We always take such matters very seriously and will always pursue anyone who deliberately provides information that is untrue.”
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk