Two men who were previously employed as waste collection officers with Barking and Dagenham Council have been found guilty of fraud.

Both men appeared in Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday 27 October, to be sentenced for one joint count of Fraud by abuse of position, following an internal council investigation.

Mathew Orchard, of South Woodham Ferrers and Paul Moon, of Dagenham, were both sentenced to 90 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 24 months alongside 120 hours of unpaid work and £3,600 each in costs and compensation. Moon also received 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

The council initiated an investigation, following suspicion that the men who worked in the Trade Waste Collection service, may have been collecting extra waste, and taking money from businesses who were not paying the council for the service.

An initial disciplinary investigation was opened, and just before a scheduled disciplinary hearing was due to take place, both resigned from the council. Further review of data led investigators to uncover substantial fraud involving the pair while they had been employed by Barking and Dagenham Council.

The criminal investigation led to both being summonsed to Barkingside Magistrates Court in September 2022 where the case was committed to Snaresbrook Crown Court. In November 2022 Orchard pleaded guilty, and Moon not guilty, but in June 2023 changed his plea to guilty.

Cllr Dominic Twomey, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth & Core Services, reacting to the sentence, said: “I am extremely thankful to our Fraud Team colleagues who have taken the time to investigate this fraud and have been persistent, working with colleagues in Public Realm and Legal Services, to secure today’s result.

“The ex-employees, by their dishonesty, have cost both the council and taxpayer losses in income that would have been best used to support the borough’s most vulnerable.

“I would like to remind anyone that would want to think about defrauding the council that we have robust systems in place and when issues are identified, we always investigate and look to take the strongest form of action where we can – including prosecuting those involved where appropriate”.

LBBD’s Counter Fraud Team investigate all types of fraud against the Council. If you are aware of any wrongdoing you can report in confidence by emailing the team at caft@lbbd.gov.uk or calling our dedicated fraud hotline of 0208 227 2666.