A COUPLE from South Oxhey pleaded guilty last week to fraudulently claiming more than £10,000 in benefits.

At Watford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 12, John and Elizabeth Brown, 52 and 51 respectively, of Prestwick Road, pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving housing benefit and Council Tax benefit from Three Rivers District Council between May, 22, 1995 and October, 26, 1998.

The couple had failed to declare circumstances that would have disqualified their claims. They had received capital of £46,000 in 1995 and had bought a holiday chalet. Mr Brown had received a reduced earnings allowance payment since 1990, and had failed to disclose employment. Mrs Brown had failed to declare two periods of employment.

Between them the Brown's received £9,391.50 in housing benefit, of which £8,747.98 they had no entitlement to. They received £2,059.54 in Council Tax benefit, of which they were only entitled to £17.04.

The case was adjourned until Tuesday, May 16.

The claims for housing benefit were made when the Browns submitted completed housing benefit forms on December 30, 1994; January 18, 1996; January 9, 1997; October 5, 1997, and April 4, 1998.

Mrs Brown was interviewed by police on October 16, 1998 and Mr Brown on October 21, 1998.