Hove benefit fraud suspect due in court over £107k scam

A suspected benefit fraudster from Hove is due in court next week after being arrested at Heathrow Airport.

Omar Zerrouk, of Mountbatten Court, Ingram Crescent, Hove, was arrested at Heathrow Airport in April – nearly three years after failing to attend court.

He was accused of being involved in a scam costing taxpayers £107,000.

Instead of answering the charges he vanished and fled the country.

His wife, Katrina Zerrouk, was convicted in 2011 of dishonestly claiming housing benefit worth £98,722.25 between April 1999 and May 2011.

She was also found guilty of claiming £8,681.01 in council tax benefit between April 1999 and June 2011.

These offences took place when they lived in Lark Hill, Hangleton.

Omar Zerrouk remains charged with dishonestly allowing his wife to perpetuate the benefit fraud.

The couple were originally arrested in June 2011 after an investigation by Brighton and Hove City Council which was triggered by an anonymous tip-off from a member of the public.

Zerrouk is due before Brighton magistrates next Wednesday (29 May).