Author: Andrew Taylor

A couple from Hurstpierpoint have been convicted of benefit fraud after dishonestly claiming over £60,000.

David Aston and Eugina Wallis of Willow Way, Hurstpierpoint fraudulently claimed £62,930 in overpaid benefits after providing false information to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Mid Sussex District Council.

The couple made separate claims for Income Support on the basis that they were single and living alone. However, an investigation by Mid Sussex District Council produced evidence that David Aston and Eugina Wallis were in fact married and living together in Hurstpierpoint.

Mr Aston also dishonestly claimed Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit for a property in Bognor Regis, which he said he was living in with his carer. That property was occupied by his daughter Kelly Aston, 31, who was living in the property rent free.

On 3 December 2021, David Aston, Eugina Wallis and Kelly Aston pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to 11 of the 19 indictments brought against them.

Judge Janet Waddicor said: “There is overwhelming evidence of dishonesty over a number of years. The amount of work by the investigators on this case is truly impressive.

“The amount of work that has gone into this investigation is astonishing. The degree of careful investigation was truly exceptional.”

Sentencing took place on 28 January 2022 and David Aston received 22 months in prison. Eugina Wallis was sentenced 36 weeks in prison and Kelly Aston received 12 months community service, comprising 100 hours work.

Councillor Ruth De Mierre, Cabinet Member for Customer Services said:

“The Council will always take firm action against the very small minority of benefit claimants who seek to cheat and be a drain on the wallets and purses of our law abiding Mid Sussex residents. Members of the public can help us catch these cheats by reporting suspected fraud anonymously via the Council’s website www.midsussex.gov.uk/revsandbens/benefits/fraud or the National Fraud Hotline 0800 854 440.”A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman added: “We constantly review how we tackle benefit theft. We are committed to deterring those considering fraud; to detecting fraud when it does occur and to making sure those who commit benefit theft are brought to justice.”

Cllr Danny Favor has been awarded The Pamana ng Pilipino Award as part of the 2021 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO). There were 117 nominees from 31 countries around the world with 53 being awarded the honour.

This award is conferred on Filipino overseas, who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honour and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

Cllr Favor who has been a Town Councillor since 2011 and was Town Mayor 2019-2021, was previously awarded the Presidential BANAAG Award 2014. Speaking about the honour Cllr Favor said “I Just want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all (Town Council, Staff, Councillors, Residents, Community groups/organisations and others) for making this happen. This would not have been possible without the support of everyone. This award is for all of us.”

The Town Council offers its sincere congratulations to a very hard working and humble Councillor. As well as his Councillor role; Danny is a nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital, and gives many additional hours along with his wife Maribel, organising a volunteer group of medical practitioners offering wellbeing checks for residents.

Dear Residents of East Grinstead,

Your Local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be holding a drop in Surgery at:

East Grinstead Library, 32-40 West Street, East Grinstead, RH19 4EY

On the following date:

Thursday 27th January 2022 – 16:00 – 17:00

If there are any issues you would like to discuss please pop along to meet your local officers and speak to them.

We will also have the Community Speed Watch co-ordinator in attendance.

We look forward to seeing you.

Kind Regards,
PCSO Lengyel

Please note these dates and times may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Come and support the Town Mayor’s next charity event on Tuesday 8th February for his charities St Catherine’s Hospice, Crawley and Cardiac Risk in the Young. The Copthorne Players will be presenting their Murder Mystery in the Meridian Hall.

Again Harbour Fish & Chips has kindly donated all the fish and chips.