THE former chairman of a district council has vowed to fight to clear his name after being found guilty of benefit fraud.

Peter Smith, 51, had denied two charges of making claims for housing and council tax benefit which he knew to be false but was convicted by Folkestone magistrates.

Smith, former chairman of Shepway, District Council, is due to be sentenced later this month.

The case revolved around council members’ allowance, which is designed to help maintain councillors’ official duties.

The council’s benefits department regards this allowance as income that needs to be declared when applying for council tax and housing benefit. They say Smith failed to do this.

After the hearing Smith said: “I intend to fight this. All I’ve ever done is shown a lot of time and commitment for the benefit of the community.”

FULL STORY IN THE FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE AND ROMNEY MARSH EDITIONS OF THIS WEEK'S KENTISH EXPRESS