It has been reported that a councillor from east London faces dismissal after being sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after pleading guilty of housing benefit fraud.

Tower Hamlets Councillor Shelina Akhtar was found to have sub-let her housing association home without permission while claiming benefits for the property.

The sentence came on Monday, after pleading guilty to three counts of failing to notify a change in her circumstances.

Commenting on the sentencing of Cllr Akhtar on Monday, a council spokesperson said:

“Shelina Akhtar lodged a guilty plea at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday 09 January regarding a failure to notify a change in circumstances in respect of housing benefit with regard to a rented council housing property in her name.”

Shelina Akhtar was elected as a Labour councillor for Spitalfields and Banglatown ward in May 2010, but since October 2010 she has sat as an Independent councillor.

Under the Local Government Act, a councillor is automatically disqualified from office if a custodial sentence of more than three months is received.

The spokesperson said:

“Due to the length of the custodial sentence Shelina Akhtar will be automatically disqualified from holding office as a councillor under section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972, but that disqualification does not take effect until the opportunity for appeal has expired which is 28 days after sentence.

“If there is an appeal then the disqualification will not take place until any appeal has run its course”.

Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes has welcomed a new compensation scheme for victims of terrorism abroad announced by the Justice Secretary Ken Clark. British victims of overseas terrorism since 2002 will be entitled to compensation for the first time.

The Justice Secretary stated that victims of overseas terrorism with now be treated ‘exactly the same’ as victims of domestic terrorism who have access to compensation through the taxpayer funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

Simon Hughes MP welcomed the announcement as he has been actively pressing for justice for victims of terrorism, who have until now been denied compensation from overseas terrorism.

Jeremy Lakin, a constituent of Simon’s who lived in Walworth, was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Sharm-al-Sheikh, Egypt in 2005. His father Trevor Lakin has campaigned for justice for victims of terrorism and has met Simon on a number of occasions.

The compensation scheme will apply to victims with an ongoing disability but not for bereaved relatives.

Simon Hughes MP commented:

“I am very relieved and grateful that we have finally achieved a compensation scheme for victims suffering with disabilities as a result of overseas terrorism. Hopefully this will provide a form of justice for victims and their families and will allow them to live their lives with dignity. Although there will be no financial compensation for Jeremy’s family, their battle in Jeremy’s name has won justice for many others who have also been victims abroad, but continue to live with their injuries.”

Property is an attractive target to fraudsters because it can be sold and mortgaged to raise money. Properties most at risk are usually empty tenanted or mortgage-free.

The individuals who are most at risk of include;

• Owners who are absent.

• Buy to let landlords.

• Owners living abroad.

• The elderly not living in their properties for reasons such as long term hospital or residential care.

The Land Registry’s top tips to help owners protect their property from fraudsters are:

• If you make sure your property is registered you will be compensated for financial loss if you do fall victim to fraud.

• Once registered keep your contact information up to date so you can be easily contacted if a complication arises.

• You can have up to three addresses on the register; email addresses or an address abroad can be used. The more
information you provide the more chance the Land Registry has of reaching you.

• You can have a restriction entered on your property if you feel it might be at risk. A restriction is designed to help prevent forgery by requiring a solicitor or conveyancer to certify they are satisfied that the person selling or mortgaging the property is the true owner.

From the 1 February 2012, there is no Land Registry fee for home owners to register this restriction, as long as they do not live in the property they wish to protect. Owner occupiers will continue to pay a small fee.

Malcolm Dawson, Chief Land Registrar said:

“Today’s launch of our ‘Top Tips’ shows how important it is to let home owners know what simple steps they can take to protect their property – one of which is now the ability for those at greatest risk to have a free restriction entered which might prevent their property from being targeted by fraudsters and stolen unawares.

“We have introduced a range of additional safeguards in the last four years and we also work closely with other organisations to do all we can to tackle fraud and identify and take corrective action when it has happened. But home owners must also be vigilant and play their own part in protecting their properties against fraud.”

For more information visit the Land Registry’s website.

If you have been a victim of fraud, report it online to Action Fraud.

North East Lincolnshire Council has formed a working group to investigate the issue of proxy buying in North East Lincolnshire.

Proxy buying is where a person over 18 buys alcohol and then gives it to someone underage.

An offence is committed by the proxy buyer and the child but not the owner of the premises or employee, if they are unaware that the alcohol is for an underage person. For the buyer there is a maximum fine of £5,000 and for the child £1,000

The working group will sit on 29 February and 1 March 2012. The findings report will be submitted to the Safer & Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel at its meeting in March 2012.

Due to the timescale involved, it will not be possible to interview all interested parties. So we are giving an opportunity to submit written evidence.

If you would like to take up this opportunity, then your form should be received by us by Friday 17 February 2012. Send your response;
By post (no stamp required)
NELC Scrutiny Team,
Municipal Offices,
Town Hall Square,
GRIMSBY, DN31 1HU.
Business Reply Licence Number RLZE-TTGE-SGRY.

Or by email to scrutiny@nelincs.gov.uk

If you need further information or would prefer an electronic version of this form please don’t hesitate to contact NELC. You can also call us on our scrutiny hotline on Grimsby (014720 326134)

Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert has received a commitment from the government that it plans new legislation to tackle metal theft across Cambridgeshire and nationally.

A new criminal offence will be created to stop dealers buying scrap metal with cash and fines for all scrap metal offences will be significantly increased.

Julian was also told that the government planned to fund a new dedicated metal theft taskforce to address the issue.

Home Office Minister, James Brokenshire told yesterday (February 2) that the government considers legislation as “the only sustainable, long-term solution”.

His comments came after Julian raised a written question with Home Secretary, Theresa May asking when she plans to introduce a comprehensive set of measures to tackle metal theft and whether she has any plans to bring forward legislation.

He also wanted to know whether she had discussed a timetable for introducing the measures.

Mr Brokenshire said:

“Metal theft is a serious and growing national problem with wide ranging social and financial impacts.

“The government considers that legislation is the only sustainable, long-term solution and will lay in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill an amendmentto create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal; and significantly increase the fines for all offences under the existing Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 that regulates the scrap metal recycling industry.

“These amendments are part of our wider attempts to tackle all stages in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal, and we shall bring forward further measures in due course,” he said.

Later Julian said:

“Scrap metal theft is a growing problem and I am pleased that the government is taking this action.

“These thefts are hitting schools, churches and businesses heavily and it is only by making it difficult for scrap metal to be sold on that we will be able to effectively tackle this problem.

“I am hoping that by combining this with a significant increase in the fines for all offences related to this crime, we can make it increasingly difficult for thieves to operate and we will be able to stamp out scrap metal theft.”

Equalities Minister and Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone yesterday welcomed a new guide to help stalking victims.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims’, produced by Women’s Aid and the Network for Surviving Stalking, the Minister outlined the government’s guiding principles for tackling violence against women and girls and welcomed the new guide as an important resource for stalking victims.

She said:

“The effect of stalking on victims lives can be devastating and we are actively looking at what more can be done to protect victims and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.

“I welcome this practical guide as an example of the valuable work a number of charities are doing to provide information and support to stalking victims.”

Stalking is a crime that affects almost one in five women and one in ten men over a lifetime.

The stalking consultation closes at the end of this week, so if you haven’t already given your views on how best to tackle this crime and provide protection for victims, please contribute here.

Lib Dem Lords Thomas, Carlile, Clement Jones and Phillips have tabled a set of amendments for debate tomorrow to improve Ken Clarke’s proposed bill to end the so-called ‘compensation culture’.

The amendments are intended to tighten up and improve the proposalsd to prevent so-called ‘referral fees’ in personal injury cases which are a cause of ambulance-chasing lawyers encouraging people to put in spurious claims.

Thefour Liberal Democrat peers have tabled amendments to prevent law firms from (among other things) sending unsolicited spam texts, and advertising in hospitals. They will also stop the practice of insurers persuading accident victims to settle for low-level damages without allowing them to take legal advice.

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland, has demanded answers from the Secretary of State for Justice in the House of Commons, after it was brought to Greg’s attention on Friday that a barrister who pleaded guilty to stealing £81,000 was allowed to continue defending another fraudster, and that that trial was delayed to allow for the lawyer to be tried himself.

David Friesner defended Jack Henry, who was convicted of 14 consumer crimes in Bradford Crown Court, just a fortnight after pleading guilty to stealing from his own Manchester chambers in Leeds Crown Court on 12th January, whereupon he was told that he was likely to face jail upon being sentenced. Henry’s trial had to be delayed to allow for his lawyer to face charges relating to the theft of tens of thousands of pounds from his own Chambers in 2008 and 2009.

Mr Mulholland called on the Justice Secretary, Rt Hon Ken Clarke, to take measures to close the loophole whereby lawyers who are themselves facing charges in court, including those found guilty, can represent others facing charges. This can in turn, as in this case, delay that trial, at the expense of both the defendant and the tax payer. He is reinforcing this message in letters to the Secretary of State and the Bar Standards Board, who have now suspended him.

Greg commented:

“I was astonished when I found that a barrister had been allowed to carry on defending people, having been convicted of a serious criminal offence. How can he stand before a jury and talk about the character of the defendant, when he has himself admitted to significant offences, and awaits sentencing? It is quite simply a criminal representing a criminal.

“For David Friesner to simply return back to defend Mr Henry, as a convicted criminal himself, is just extraordinary. The fact that Jack Henry’s case was actually delayed, whilst his own barrister’s criminal case was heard, is a farce, with such delays costing considerable money, and wasting the court’s time.

“Ridiculously, until the Bar Standards Board belatedly suspended Mr Friesner today, following the story being widely reported in the press, there was the very real possibility that he could have instructed in a case before Mr Justice Singh, who convicted Mr Friesner and will sentence him on February 10th.The actions of the Bar Standards Board defy commonsense and this needs looking into.

“This brings the legal system into disrepute, and the Secretary of State must now look at introducing mandatory automatic suspensions for those legal representatives involved serious criminal cases. This is a ridiculous loophole, and it must be closed.”

Humberside Police have received reports of two men who have been visiting houses in the area looking for repair work. These men are using a red coloured van and although carrying ID and claiming to work for Shoreline, this is not the case.

Bogus callers often prey on the elderly and vulnerable in order to get make money by carrying out work that is often poor and at an extortionate cost to the home owner. There are also bogus callers out there who try to talk their way in before using distraction methods to steal items or cash from within.

Humberside Police are running Operation Liberal which targets bogus callers of this nature and shares information force wide in order to stop them from having an easy time in another area.

As part of this operation, Police are reminding the public to exercise caution when allowing callers in to their property and consider the following advice:

When someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to your home, asks for urgent help, or claims to be a company representative, follow these simple steps to help protect yourself and your home from bogus callers.

LOCK: Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home.

STOP: Before you answer, stop to think if you are expecting anyone. Check that your back door is locked and any keys are taken out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is.

CHAIN: If answering the door, keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep. (When the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off in case of an emergency.) Some bogus callers target older and vulnerable people saying they need help urgently. They may ask you to help them outside the house or ask to use a phone or request a drink. Only offer to help if you have someone with you. Don’t worry if you choose not to help it is not rude or unfriendly.

CHECK: If someone who looks official calls at your door, always ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have an appointment. Do they look like the person on the card? Do their details match any prior correspondence? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting them and they don’t show you an identity card, do not let them in until you have double-checked their validity.

IF IN DOUBT RING THE COMPANY THEY CLAIM TO BE FROM. GENUINE CALLERS WILL SUGGEST YOU DO THIS AND WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ACTION.

If you have been a victim of a bogus caller or have been approached recently please contact Humberside Police right away on 101

Elderly and vulnerable members of the community are being targeted by criminals who claim to be from a utility board in order to gain access to their homes and then steal from them.

Concern about this type of crime continues to grow despite incidents reducing at a local and national level for the last six years. Police in Humberside are keen to make people aware of the tactic being used by unscrupulous criminals in an effort to prevent people in this area falling foul.

Superintendent Phil Walker from Humberside Police, who sits on the national ACPO

burglary working group, said: “Distraction burglars are active nationally and up and down the country elderly residents are being targeted by these people and all too often they are tricking their way into homes to steal.

“There are some straightforward steps that people can take to ensure these offenders do not get allowed access to their homes but ultimately, the message is ‘Not sure? Don’t open the door’.

“There is also a responsibility for family, friends and neighbours to be vigilant and keep their eyes and ears open to help keep the more vulnerable members of our society safe.

“I want anyone who sees or hears of people calling at addresses, acting suspiciously, trying to access homes whilst purporting to be from a utility board, to report it to police as a matter of urgency.”

Distraction offenders frequently claim to be from the gas, electricity or water boards and use the term “board”. However these companies are no longer referred to as a board and this is a phrase that people should look out for by way of identifying a potential offender.

As previously reported, an elderly woman was targeted in Goole earlier this month when a man was allowed into her home in Northway after telling her he was from the water board and was checking houses in the area. He made off with more than £100 from her after distracting her in the kitchen, enabling another man to enter the house and steal the money.

Police would like to remind the public to exercise caution when allowing callers in to their property and consider the following advice:

LOCK, STOP, CHAIN and CHECK
When someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to your home, asks for urgent help, or claims to be a company representative, follow these simple steps to help protect yourself and your home from bogus callers.

LOCK: Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home.

STOP: Before you answer, stop to think if you are expecting anyone. Check that your back door is locked and any keys are taken out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is.
CHAIN: If answering the door, keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep. (When the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off in case of an emergency.) Some bogus callers target older and vulnerable people saying they need help urgently. They may ask you to help them outside the house or ask to use a phone or request a drink. Only offer to help if you have someone with you. Don’t worry if you choose not to help it is not rude or unfriendly.

CHECK: If someone who looks official calls at your door, always ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have an appointment. Do they look like the person on the card? Do their details match any prior correspondence? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting them and they don’t show you an identity card, do not let them in until you have double-checked their validity.

IF IN DOUBT RING THE COMPANY THEY CLAIM TO BE FROM. GENUINE CALLERS WILL SUGGEST YOU DO THIS AND WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ACTION.