£33k benefit fraud funded drug habit
Published Date:
07 June 2008
By Court Reporter
A MAN who claimed he was too ill to work, cheated the benefits system out of almost £33,000 while employed at a sweet factory.
Gary Whittaker carried on the deception for four year when he worked as a sugar boiler and he spent the money on drugs.
Whittaker, 41, of Palatine Road, Blackpool, admitted four offences of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances.
He was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, put on a three months curfew during which he must remain inside his home between 10pm and 6am, given 12 months supervision, and ordered to pay £50 costs.
Warren Spencer, prosecuting, said Whittaker's deception came to light when the Department of Work and Pensions and Blackpool Council launched a joint investigation into workers at the Hornby and the Parterre confectionery factories in Blackpool.
Whittaker illegally claimed a total of £32,785 in incapacity, housing and council tax benefits.
Mitch Sarangi, defending, said: "He appears to have used the extra funds he obtained to support his drug habit. He knows he has a drugs problem he has to deal with."
The full article contains 192 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
06 June 2008 4:54 PM
-
Source:
Blackpool Gazette
-
Location:
Blackpool
