Clipstone benefits cheat avoids jail
Published Date:
09 May 2008
A BENEFITS cheat who fraudulently claimed £27,600 over a five-and-a-half-year period has been spared jail.
Stuart Barson (39), of Church Road, Clipstone, was given six months by a judge to prove he can continue making repayments.
Prosecutor Andrew Willatts told Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (7th May) that Barson had suffered from depression since the age of 22 and was receiving incapacity benefits.
But Barson fraudulently claimed income support and council and housing tax benefits by failing to mention that his wife Michelle was in paid employment.
It was done without her knowledge and Barson's barrister Quentin Robbins said his client was now hoping to work from home, offering a computer support service.
Judge David Price told Barson: "You used the money to lead a comfortable life and there came a time when you were able to buy a house."
Around £1,500 has been paid back so far but the judge warned that if repayments did not continue Barson would receive an immediate prison sentence by 5th November.
The full article contains 179 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
09 May 2008 5:26 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Mansfield
