Cornwall Council says the conviction of a man for fraud in trying to buy a council property underlines its ‘zero tolerance’ approach to ‘all forms of fraud.’

At Truro Crown Court on July 5, Michael Raymond Whittaker, 68, formerly of The Chalet, Downderry, last week admitted one count for fraud by dishonest false representation on a right to buy application. He was given a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay the council’s full costs totalling £6,424.90 and a £100 victim surcharge.

Mr Whittaker had said the property to which his application related was his main and only home, when in fact he was living abroad in Lanzarote.

Under a tenancy, you are only eligible for right to buy if the property is your only or main home.

If the application had been accepted, Mr Whittaker would have obtained a 50% reduction in the cost of the house, totalling £54,125.

After the case, Pete Jarman, landlord services director for Cornwall Housing Ltd, which manages the council’s properties, said: ‘Cornwall Housing Ltd takes “right to buy” fraud very seriously and works closely in partnership with Cornwall Council’s corporate fraud team to identify, investigate and potentially prosecute cases of both tenancy and right to buy fraud.

‘It is important that such a scarce resource as social housing goes to individuals and families who are in genuine housing need.’

Simba Muzarurwi, Cornwall Council’s head of internal audit and risk said:  ‘The Council has a zero tolerance policy on all forms of fraud so the corporate counter fraud team will leave no stone unturned to ensure that those responsible for perpetrating fraud are brought to book.

‘By continuous checking and investigation of anomalies in information supplied by tenants and potential tenants, we can help ensure that housing in Cornwall is allocated to those in most need.’

Cornwall Council operates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to fraud and corruption. There is a confidential fraud hotline on 0800 7316125.