Golders Green Hebrew Scribe Sentenced For Pocketing Housing Benefit

The owner of a landmark Orthodox Jewish business, whch specialises in traditional Hebrew caligraphy, has been sentenced for pocketing housing benefit payments from his local council.

Bernard Benarroch, 53, boss of GoldersGreen store SoferStam was intially charged with dishonestly receiving approximately £52,937, but this was reduced to the lesser allegation of simply failing to notify a change in his circumstances.


He initially appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court charged with failing between April 1, 2009 and July 20, 2014 to inform the London Borough of Barnet of the change, namely that his wife was in employment and earning a wage.

Benarroch pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court and was sentenced on the day after an interview with the Probation Service, who compiled a pre-sentence report.

He received a twelve-month community order, which includes 200 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £1,200 costs.