Sharnbrook owner of yoga retreat ordered to pay £13,000 after six-year benefits fraud
A benefits cheat has been ordered to pay £13,190 after admitting he fraudulently claimed council tax support and a discount for six years.
Antonio Noto, also known as Tony, was investigated after a tip-off to Bedford council that he and his partner had been operating a yoga and healing retreat and an Airbnb from their home.
The council said its investigators found a website for the retreat that listed Noto, of Templars Way in Sharnbrook, and his partner as the retreat hosts – and uncovered numerous documents from Companies House, the DWP, financial institutions, and school admissions records linking the couple as living together at the property.
The investigators also found websites and social media posts about how the couple had created the retreat.
But when interviewed Noto denied he had ever lived with anyone else at the property – and told them to inform the police as he wouldn’t be questioned over fraud allegations by council officers.
And when the council pressed ahead with the investigation, Noto twice failed to turn up to court hearings, and warrants had to be issued for him.
He finally offered a guilty plea days before the trial was due to begin, and the matter was adjourned to August 27 for sentencing.
In a statement, the council said the judge at Luton Crown Court found that money was the root cause for Noto’s offending – ordering that he receive a three-year conditional discharge (the longest period allowed), with £5,860.38 compensation to be paid within six months, plus £7,330 in costs.
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said: “Council tax fraud is not a victimless crime; it diverts vital funding away from residents who need it most and places an unfair burden on honest taxpayers.
“We will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone who dishonestly claims support they are not entitled to.
“When prosecuting these matters the council not only seeks to recover the money stolen but also have the offender pay for the costs of the investigation and legal action taken against them.”
You can report any suspected fraud via the council website, in confidence.