False Statements To Gain Invalid's Benefit

Chronicle (Levin), 3 September 1949, Page 2

False Statements To Gain Invalid's Benefit

WELLINGTON, Sept. 2." Two charges of making false statements in applying for the invalid 's benelit so a^ to :obtain payment from the Social Security Department were preferred against Thomas Bartlett, aged 59, of Plimmerton, before Mr J. Hessell, S.M., in the Magistrate 's Court today. Senior Detective G. E. Callaghan said accused, who pleaded guilty, had been granted an invalid's pension of £117 year on September 1, 1943. This continued till the end of 1947. At the time the pension was granted accused was in very poor health, but from Eebruary 5, 1947 to December 15, 1947 he had been employed as a cleaner uuder another name. During this period he earned £204. While working he ,,had renewed his applieation for the invalid's pension, stating that his earnings were nil. Accused had offered to make restitution of £89 18s 4d, the amount he had wrongfully been paid. Accused said he had made the applieation because he was frightened that he might have a relapse of his illness. Bartlett had made the false applieation very jjeliberately because he had done it under a false name, said Mr Hessell. He .proposed to take the courso recommended by. the probation officer by convicting accused, admitting him to probation for two years, and orderiug restitution to the Social Security Department of £89 18s 4d by instalmeuts of not less than £2 a week.