Repeat benefit fraud offender jailed

Benefit cheat Richard Barnett has been jailed after he claimed more than £30,000 while working at a club.

The 49-year-old worked 16 hours a week at Kidsgrove Labour Club while claiming incapacity benefit, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

Ekwall Tiwana, prosecuting for the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP), said Barnett was paid benefits from 2000 on the basis he was an unemployed, single man who was deemed incapable of working due to a disability.

The cash was paid into a post office account every two weeks and he was required to notify any changes in his circumstances which might affect the payments.

Mr Tiwana said: "He failed to do this. It came to light with the benefit agencies he had been working at Kidsgrove Labour Club as a barman since about April 2003. He was working about 16 hours a week. He failed to declare this to the department."

Barnett was interviewed last June and confirmed he understood he needed to report any changes, particularly concerning work. He also admitted he was employed during the course of the benefit claim.

In total he was overpaid £30,874 between 2003 and 2010.

Barnett, from Kidsgrove, pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change in his circumstances in relation to his claim for benefits.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for benefit fraud in 1992 for which he received a community sentence.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said Barnett is an alcoholic and has drunk alcohol each morning since he was aged 19. He said Barnett is not allowed to drink while working but drinks at home after finishing his shifts.

Mr Muldoon added that the defendant would benefit from supervision as part of a suspended sentence.

But Judge Michael Dudley said Barnett was given his chance in 1992 and he sentenced him to 10 months in prison:

The problem with benefit fraud is that it is a crime against every taxpayer in the country. Your problem is that you have done it before. In 1992 you were convicted of benefit fraud and you were given a chance. You do not get a second chance, especially where the amount is over £30,000.

It has got to be understood, the chances are with sums of this size custody will follow, otherwise it is no deterrent.