TAC successfully prosecuted the accused in the Magistrates’ Court.

The accused was charged with fraudulently obtaining benefits and providing TAC with false and misleading information as a result of a TAC investigation .

The accused was involved in a transport in June 2022 where the vehicle he was driving was hit from behind and the accused sustained injuries consisting of neck and thoracic pain.

The TAC investigation resulted in evidence being obtained which indicated the accused continued to work without advising TAC of this.

The accused plead guilty after several adjournments and was represented at the hearing.

After hearing a summary of the offending, the court heard submissions from the accused’s legal representative, those submissions included the accused’s work with the Somali community and their current unemployed status and living arrangements.

The prosecution was not afforded the opportunity to provide submissions on sentence due to the Magistrate being rushed.

The Magistrate then handed down their sentence =

• Without conviction the accused was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $23,293 in compensation and costs of $2,715.

Given the rushed nature of the proceedings no sentencing remarks were provided

Restitution:	$23,293
Total Fines:	$
Disbursements:	$
Statutory Costs:	$
Professional Costs:	$2,715

Stay: