Wednesday, 8 December 2010

Double Dole Dope Gets A Taste Of Work


Dopey two-time dole cheat David Henry - whose illicit wages were paid into the same bank account that received his benefits - will now have to graft for free after being sentenced to 100 hours community service.

The 32 year-old, who unlawfully received £1,249 in jobseekers allowance and housing and council tax benefit, earned cash on the side as a £6 per hour cleaner for the second time in four years while signing-on.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to failing to notify a change in circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions.

The court was told Henry had a 14-hour per week part-time job with 'Best Connection' and for six months received benefit he was not entitled to - receiving the handouts into the same bank account as his wages.

In 2006 he received an internal administrative penalty for similarly moonlighting in employment while claiming benefits.

Henry continues claiming benefits with a small amount deducted to repay the loss.

So far he has repaid £158.

"I am not going to send you down," the Recorder of Croydon Warwick McKinnon told Henry.

"There is an awful lot of benefit fraud going on, but we cannot send them all to prison. We can't afford that."

Henry was also ordered to complete twenty hours employment training and education and pay a contribution to court costs.


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