Retired accountant stole £8k in council tax support

Warrington Magistrates' Court heard how David Hamilton-Dick, 69, pleaded guilty to six counts of dishonesty after failing to disclose information to Warrington Borough Council.

Prosecuting, Ms Maddox, said that Hamilton-Dick and his wife made claims for council tax support between 2012 and 2019.

He initially claimed that he and his wife lived separately.

In June 2019, it was found at Hamilton-Dick may have had undeclared income.

He didn’t reference another property they had in Devon and said he had no income.

The family was asked to provide proof of income and their circumstances and two accounts weren’t declared.

It was found that Hamilton-Dick and his wife had a pension since 2013 despite Hamilton-Dick’s wife having a job since 2013.

He didn’t think he had to declare his property in Devon and didn’t declare the earnings from his wife.

The court heard that Hamilton-Dick wasn’t aware of his wife’s bank accounts and the pension was ‘a mistake on his part’.

Hamilton-Dick, of Lyons Lane, gained £8,956 through fraud, a majority of which he has paid back leaving £1,500 to be paid.

The council wanted £1,700 in compensation.

Ms Maddox added: “He does know how these things work.”

He was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

Defence barrister John Farnan asked for full credit for his client’s full guilty plea.

He said that Hamilton-Dick can’t explain why he made the claim and his client explains it as ‘losing the plot’.

Mr Farnan added that he had health failings at the time and that explains why a person until that point of good character would make those submissions.

He also said that bar two drink driving offences, this is the only matter on his record and thinks the £1,700 figure is ‘over the top’.

Chair of the magistrates’ panel Stephen Walter said: “What can I say other than the fact that your actions have been deceitful and fraudulent.

“It is shameful to your profession.

“You should have known that you would have been caught with this fraud.

“You are very lucky you are not going to prison today.

“This has to be a punishment for what you have done.”

Mr Walter added that he only isn’t going to prison as he has paid a chunk of the money back and that he is ‘lucky he has retired’.

Hamilton-Dick was sentenced to a 12-week curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £1,200 in costs and a £95 surcharge.