Benefit fraud accused 'could not read'

Sharaf Ebrahimi is accused of falsely pocketing £4,073 in housing benefits and council tax.

The 38-year-old, of Darlaston Road, Pleck, appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court for a trial after denying two charges of falsely making a statement to obtain benefits.

He is accused of making the claims between March 7, 2011 and April 9, 2013.

But yesterday a court was told he could not read or write English.

Mr Gary Cook, prosecuting on behalf of the council, said: "The defendant attended the First Stop Shop at the council on September 3, 2010 and completed a housing benefit and council tax benefit claim form.

"The form was completed with the defendant by Joanne Spooner who is an officer at the council.

"He similarly completed a change of address form with Catherine Smith, who is employed by Caldmore Housing Association, after moving to his current address from Newhall Street in Walsall.

"Both forms contained a declaration stating that Mr Ebrahimi should notify the council of any changes to his circumstances. But he failed to inform the council his child tax credit had increased from £50.50 per week to £105.39 per week and working tax credits had increased by £61.40. These increases would have resulted in a reduction in his housing benefit and council tax benefit."

Giving evidence, Mrs Spooner said she would not have allowed Ebrahimi to complete the forms if he could not read or understand English.

She said: "I have been doing this job for 10 years and if the defendant could not understand I would have made another appointment for him to attend with an interpreter. I have to be sure the claimant understands what is being said when filling in the form." Mr Richard Burch, defending, said Ebrahimi could speak some English but struggled to read or write it. He said: "The defendant cannot read or write English and you can't say that he read and fully understood what was on your computer screen."

Ebrahimi worked at the Staffordshire base of parcel company APC in Norton Canes. Giving evidence yesterday, Brett Kitson, human resources manager at APC, said: "Sharaf worked as a forklift driver and on a daily basis, the job required written work and Sharaf would have had to complete documentation.

"I have known him for nine years and I have never had any problems speaking to him in English." The trial continues.