Mayor in court on benefit fraud charge (From Western Telegraph)

Mayor in court on benefit fraud charge

12:10pm Monday 17th March 2008 in

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The mayor of Pembroke is due to appear at Haverfordwest magistrates court this morning on charges of benefit fraud.

Cllr Keith McNiffe has been charged with fraudulently claiming benefits and being overpaid by more than £9000 since April 2003, following an investigation by the Fraud Investigation Service in Wales.

The Western Telegraph understands that the benefit involved is Disability Living Allowance and case involves the refereeing of football matches.

Disability Living Allowance is often reserved for the most severely disabled, normally only those with a physical or mental disability who require care or have difficulty walking are eligible to receive the benefit.

The mayor, who was elected to Pembroke Town Council as member for the Monkton ward in 2004, suspended himself from office following exclusive revelations in last week's Western Telegraph.

A statement released by Pembroke Town Hall said that the former army chef would re-consider his position as town councillor when legal proceedings are over.

A second man, from Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire is also due to appear before magistrates in Haverfordwest today, charged with fraudulently claiming benefits.

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