Suspended sentence follows Selby man's £50k care fraud

A Selby man has been been handed a suspended prison sentence after being found to have fraudulently claimed nearly £50,000 in money intended for his father's social care.

David Hold, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud following a joint investigation by North Yorkshire County Council and the Police.

The investigation revealed Holt, formerly of The Chimes in Selby, had between 2009 and 2012 failed to use more than £48,000 he had claimed from NYCC and the Independent Living Fund to employ carers to take care of his father's need for 24-hour care.

Holt was sentenced to 21 months in custody, to be suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to two counts of fraud in a hearing at York Crown Court on Wednesday. He will also be required to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work.

Honour Judge Davey QC told Holt that he had committed the offences to, "enrich", himself. He said, "I am satisfied that you knew what you were doing and why." Holt had abused his position as his father's carer in obtaining tax payers money, the judge said.

In addition to his sentence, Mr Holt will face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act that will seek to recover the fraudulently obtained money.

"This is a good result in the fight on fraud, which amounts to abuse of the vulnerable and takes money from the public purse", said County Councillor Carl Les, executive member for central services. "This money was paid in good faith for the care of a vulnerable resident and this has been a protracted and high-value fraud. Our success in bringing this case to court ultimately shows that dishonesty does not pay."

The county council is calling on anyone with any information on fraudulent activity to phone the fraud hotline on 01904 552935 or email counter.fraud@veritau.co.uk.