Benefit cheat had £30,000 savings
A BENEFIT fraudster claimed more than £39,000 illegally despite having savings of thousands of pounds which he set aside for his teenage daughter.
Paul Reynolds, 59, of Newport, failed to declare savings of £30,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Newport council and illegally received employment support allowance (ESA) and housing benefit between 2013 and 2018.
When the benefit system changed in 2012 he was required to provide his circumstances but he told the authorities he did not have any bank accounts and only possessed a Post Office account which had a balance of nil. The defendant also denied having any savings exceeding the maximum amount of £5,500.
But a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard he had set aside capital from inheritance received from his mother and saved his benefits in order to provide a fund for his 17-year-old daughter.
Prosecutor Lauren Shepherd said it would be “a waste of court time” to pursue a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing due to Reynolds’ savings having been depleted.
In total Reynolds illegally claimed £17,160 in ESA and £22,411 in housing benefit which came to more than £39,000.
The defendant, of Alexandra Road, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and dishonestly failing to disclose information.
In mitigation Scott Bowen said his client was vulnerable due to a number of health issues, including a cancer diagnosis in 2010.
He added: “He is also considered vulnerable due to the lifestyle he leads and the property he lives in. The accommodation is squalid and not fit for purpose.
“He was able to save his benefits by living a frugal lifestyle and the money was going to go to his daughter. He was not living a lavish lifestyle.”
Reynolds was sentenced to an 18-month community order and to carry out a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.