Fraudster forced to sell house for compensation
Raymond DUGAN, aged 48, from Telford is required to pay £35,000 by way of compensation in 6 months or faces another 18months in jail in default.
On 19th September 2005 Raymond DUGAN pleaded guilty to a number of Fraud charges at Shrewsbury Crown Court. These offences were committed over a period of 4.5 years and related to both Government Benefit (Department of Work and Pensions, DWP) and also Local Housing Benefit (Telford &z Wrekin Council) totalling £36,833. HHJ Onions had sentenced DUGAN to 12 months imprisonment for his crimes and commenced confiscation proceedings against him.
On 30th January 2006 DUGAN again appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court before HHJ Onions for a confiscation hearing under the Criminal Justice Act. A confiscation order was made on the day for £35,000; DUGAN has re-paid some monies to the DWP & Telford & Wrekin Council. Of this amount a compensation order will then be made, £31,500 to the DWP & £3,500 to Telford Council. DUGAN has been given six months to pay the amount in full, with a default sentence of 18 months if he fails to comply.
The only assets held by DUGAN are his home, equity in excess of £100,000 and a private number plate, value £1,000. The house is currently up for sale.
Again this goes to show that we will no longer allow criminals to get away with just a short prison term and slapped wrist, we are actively involved in taking the profit out of committing crime in an effort to eradicate any incentive to become involved in activities that have detrimental effects on the general public and hard working men and women across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.