Richards, from Rainham, swindled his way to more than £50,000 worth of benefits.
The 53-year-old worked as a boat driver for the Formula One British Water Skiing organisation, but still managed to claim the money.
As well as the luxury caravan and two speedboats, Richards owned a Winnebago caravan, a breakdown truck and several cars.
However, Havering Council started investigating his claims for housing and council tax benefits in 2010 – and found that he was running a business and had ‘substantial’ assets.
He was arrested at his council house, and in an interview, claimed the cars and the boats were his hobby.
He defrauded Havering Council out of £33,757, and took £16,312 from the Department of Work and Pensions – a total of £50,069.96 he cheated out of the taxpayer.
He pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to two counts of failing to tell the authorities of a change in his circumstances, and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, to obey a curfew from 9pm to 6am for three months, and to carry out 200 hours of community service.
Later this year, there will be a confiscation hearing.
- So no jail for a £50k benefit thief.
Benefit thieves do it for the money. They should know they will have to pay back twice what they stole, and that they will get no benefits until they have. A confiscation order should be made immediately.
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