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£33k benefit fraud funded drug habit
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."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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