Jonathan Lincoln appeared at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

As a council benefits assessor, Jonathan Lincoln was well versed in dodges used by claimants to beat the system.

So much so that he was able to put his knowledge at Medway Council to good use and commit benefit fraud himself.

The 30-year-old father-of-two and his wife Ellen managed to relieve the public purse of more than £6,500, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

But despite the gross breach of trust, Lincoln escaped with a 16-week suspended prison sentence and 150 hours unpaid work.

His now estranged wife, 29, also walked free – with a conditional discharge.

A judge told the former council official the public would not be satisfied if he did not treat the matter as serious.

“I would send you to prison immediately but for your plea of guilty and the fact you are currently working and have made every effort to make some sort of reparation, and there may be the appearance of disproportionality with your wife’s sentence,” said Recorder Adam Swirsky.

Lincoln, of Almond Grove, Hempstead, admitted two offences of fraud and two of causing or allowing his wife to fail to give prompt notification of change of circumstances.

Ellen Lincoln, of Victoria Street, Gillingham, admitted two offences of failing to notify a change of circumstances with a view to obtaining benefit.

Philip Sinclair, prosecuting, said the offences came to light because of Jonathan Lincoln’s position as a benefits officer at the council since 2009.

When vetted early last year he was asked to provide documents relating to where he lived and he gave his parents’ address.

Colleagues and employers thought he lived with his wife in Gardiner Street, Gillingham.

It was discovered that Mrs Lincoln made a claim for income support and housing and council tax benefit in December 2010 on the basis she was a single mother, having just lost her job at McDonald's.

Mr Sinclair said the house was kept under surveillance and Mr Lincoln was seen coming and going.

When interviewed the couple said they had separated soon after moving into their first home in Davenport Avenue, Gillingham, in May 2007 following the birth of their first child.

The father said he visited every night and left after the children had gone to bed. His wife was not able to say where he was living.

Mr Sinclair said it was discovered that Mr Lincoln had obtained a single person’s 25 per cent discount on council tax while living at the two addresses with his wife.

The amount he falsely obtained between April 2007 and the end of 2010 was £904. Mrs Lincoln was liable for £5,616 she claimed and she was repaying it from her benefits. So far, £600 had been repaid.

Jonathan Lincoln was ordered to pay £500 towards the £6,295 costs sought.

Recorder Swirsky told the couple: “This may not be the largest claim for benefit fraud brought before this court but the benefits system is over-stressed in this country and any amounts obtained unlawfully diminish the pot in respect of others.”

Mrs Lincoln had faced less serious offences than originally charged.

In those circumstances the judge said he was prepared “after some hesitation” to accede to defence submissions and impose a conditional discharge.

The judge told Mr Lincoln: “The position is quite different in your case. It is considerably aggravated by the breach of trust of your employers.”