Man jailed for bogus welfare

A FORMER printer and publisher stole the identity of about 50 people in order to make bogus claims for more than $67,000 in welfare to feed a drug habit.

William Edward May, 38, claimed the payments, using other people’s identities and also setting up bank accounts to claim the payments.

May was in the grip of an addiction to the drug ice when making the claims between July 2018 and July 2019.

He was on probation for dishonesty offences and was convicted of other dishonesty offences in December 2018.

May pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Tuesday to 55 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of possession of identification information.

Acting Judge Katarina Prskalo sentenced May to three years’ prison to be released on a good behaviour bond after he has served 14 months. He has been in custody 338 days.

“These kinds of offences are viewed seriously because they are easy to commit, they are prevalent and they involve the abuse of a system that relies upon the honesty of those who participate,” Ms Prskalo said.

Commonwealth prosecutor Roman Micairan said May received 203 social security payments he was not entitled to.

He said May would use stolen IDs to make the claims. Some were legitimate, but May redirected the payments into bank accounts he controlled.

When May was detected, police found identification details of more than 50 people across three city locations.

Mr Micairan said May’s actions increased the risk of people who legitimately needed welfare being “demonised”.

Defence barrister James McNab, instructed by Allen & Searing Criminal Lawyers, said May was struggling with an addiction to the drug ice at the time and was homeless.

A doctor’s report tendered described May as “oblivious, drug affected and apathetic”.