Benefits cheat shown mercy by court
A BENEFITS fiddler is £50,000 in debt and trying to stave off bankruptcy, a court heard.
Self-employed joiner Stephen Burr, who was overpaid 5,041 in benefits, set up his own business so he could be independent, South Tyneside magistrates were told yesterday.
But he owes 32,000 to the taxman and 18,000 to other creditors, said his solicitor, David Forrester.
Burr, 51, of Inverness Road, Jarrow, admitted dishonestly failing to notify social security officers of a change of circumstances between April 2008 and April last year, and failing to tell South Tyneside Council of a change in circumstances between October 2006 and April 2009.
Angus Taylor, prosecuting on behalf of the council and the Department for Work and Pensions, said Burr claimed jobseekers allowance, as well as council tax and housing benefits.
But he failed to tell the authorities he had worked for a number of periods while he was claiming benefits, and also had received a sum of money in excess of the amount allowed.
The sum, he said, was 18,000, which was given to him by his father after he sold his house.
The matters all came to light when Burr was interviewed by fraud investigators on a separate matter, said Mr Taylor.
When he was questioned about the benefits fiddle, he was asked:
"Do you think you have been dishonest?" and he replied: "Exactly, yes."
He told the investigators he had used the cash from his dad to pay off some of his debts and to buy Christmas presents. He had also opened an investment account.
Mr Forrester said: "This is a sad case. Burr is a proud man who has never been in trouble before. He has had this hanging over him for a year.
"He has always tried to make a go of it and set up his own business, but it got into difficulties, leaving him owing 32,000 to the tax authorities. He has other debts with creditors, which takes it up to 50,000.
"When the work is there, he does 84 hours a week, and is paying off the money he owes to the council and the Department for Work and Pensions."
Burr was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay 100 court costs.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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