A SENIOR councillor has walked free from court after being cleared of benefit fraud.
Councillor Milan Radulovic, who has been Labour leader of Broxtowe Borough Council since the last elections in May, was charged with receiving an overpayment of £45,511 from the Department for Work and Pensions.
He has been found not guilty.
As the prosecution was no longer prepared to offer any evidence to support the charge, an automatic not guilty verdict was given.
The Post said in January that the overpayment related to his expenses as a councillor.
He had been charged under the Social Security Administration Act for "having made a false statement or representation" relating to an incapacity benefit claim form.
This was claimed to have happened in or around May 29, 1997, in Eastwood.
Speaking at the time, Mr Radulovic said: "I am refuting all this.
"I'm contesting everything.
"I've never been given the chance to answer the allegations, it's gone straight to court.
"I shall counter-sue for damages.
"This is unfair. I haven't done anything wrong."
In a brief hearing at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday, the case against Mr Radulovic was discontinued.
At previous hearings, the court has heard that Mr Radulovic had to provide evidence of expenses he claimed over the past 13 years.
The judge said the Department for Work and Pensions. had treated this as "ordinary income" when this was not the case.
Benjamin Close, for the prosecution, said: "The prosecution are offering no evidence in this case as there is no realistic possibility of a conviction."
Judge Michael Stokes, QC, said: "You (Mr Radulovic) leave the court room with no stain on your character."
Speaking outside the court, Mr Radulovic, of Cross Street, Eastwood, said: "I'm relieved that I have been vindicated and that the judge said there is no stain on my character.
"Now I can finally get on with the task of leading the council and representing the people of Eastwood.
"It has been a hard few months and difficult to deal with, but it can be put behind us now."
Mr Radulovic went to Brookhill Leys Junior School, Eastwood Secondary Modern and People's College of Further Education and worked as a sub-contractor on oil rigs in the North Sea.
He was first elected to Broxtowe Borough Council in 1986, became leader of the opposition at Broxtowe in 1991 and finally leader of the council in 1995.
He said he is still considering whether to pursue a claim for damages.
