Darwen benefits cheat was 'desperate' (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Darwen benefits cheat was 'desperate'
12:56pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News
A 35-YEAR-OLD man who had his house repossessed, and found himself in dire financial straits, continued to claim benefits, despite obtaining work through an agency.
Blackburn magistrates heard Kevin Kearney received more than £7,000 he was not entitled to.
Natalie Darwen, defending, said her client had felt like he was ‘treading water and getting nowhere fast.
“He was desperate for money,” said Miss Darwen.
“He has already entered into a voluntary agreement to repay the money.”
Kearney, 35, of Anyone Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to Jobseekers’ Allowance, council tax and housing benefits.
He was given a conditional discharge for 18 months, and was ordered to pay £85 costs.
Comments(5)
english rose 1
says...
5:31pm Wed 31 Oct 12
amazed
says...
6:07pm Wed 31 Oct 12
english rose 1 wrote:I would have thought it sensible for a system to be set up (if there is not one already) whereby if an Agency obtains a job for a individual, that the Agency would automatically inform the Benefits Office. That way, the Office does not rely on the individual to inform them.......seems common sense to me!
Anyone St eh ?!!
tim otay71
says...
12:32am Thu 1 Nov 12
Ian the Beancounter
says...
10:35am Thu 1 Nov 12
english rose 1 wrote:> The LT reporters still haven't bothered to get the name of Darwen streets right!
Anyone St eh ?!!
Major Tom says...
2:23pm Wed 31 Oct 12