Longridge £250k lottery win dad in benefits fraud (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Longridge £250k lottery win dad in benefits fraud
2:03pm Tuesday 13th December 2011 in Longridge
By Catherine Pye, Health reporter
A BENEFITS cheat continued to claim thousands despite winning £250,000 on a Lottery scratchcard.
Andrew Crossthwaite, 23, of Mersey Street, Longridge, won the six-figure sum on June 25, 2010, but raked in £4,614 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for himself, his partner and child until January 20.
He told the authorities he was incapable of work due to an alcohol abuse problem.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said Crossthwaite now had nothing left of the Lottery win, having blown the money on cars, drugs, and gifts to friends.
Crossthwaite pleaded guilty to failing to notify the authorities of a change in his circumstances at Preston Magistrates Court.
DWP Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, said: “When people receive benefits from us they enter into a contract to tell us of any change in their circumstances.
“Deliberately not doing so is a crime and takes valuable funds from those who need them the most.
“At best they will have to repay us all the money they have taken, at worst they will end up a criminal and in the pages of a newspaper.”
Two other charges of wrongfully claiming council tax benefit and housing benefit following the win were withdrawn.
Crossthwaite was placed on a one-year supervision order, with 36 hours at an attendance centre, The court also told him to pay £100 costs.
Comments(10)
useyourhead
says...
4:33pm Tue 13 Dec 11
Dave139
says...
4:48pm Tue 13 Dec 11
Michael@ClitheroeSince58
says...
5:15pm Tue 13 Dec 11
ghanto
says...
7:59pm Tue 13 Dec 11
Paul The Octopus Lives!
says...
9:42pm Tue 13 Dec 11
Job Centre Man: Right Andrew let's look at sorting a job for you.
Andrew: Sorry I'm incapable of work due to an alcohol abuse problem.
Job Centre Man: Well here's an idea; stop abusing alcohol, get off your lazy arse and get a job. By the way your benefits have now been stopped.
Ahhhhhhh...if only.....
useyourhead
says...
10:22pm Tue 13 Dec 11
Paul The Octopus Lives! wrote:no, sadly they would actually increase his benefits as alcoholics get a booze allowance!
"He told the authorities he was incapable of work due to an alcohol abuse problem."
Job Centre Man: Right Andrew let's look at sorting a job for you.
Andrew: Sorry I'm incapable of work due to an alcohol abuse problem.
Job Centre Man: Well here's an idea; stop abusing alcohol, get off your lazy arse and get a job. By the way your benefits have now been stopped.
Ahhhhhhh...if only.....
gazzandste
says...
12:35am Wed 14 Dec 11
the_truth_is_out_there_!
says...
9:07am Wed 14 Dec 11
luverlyjubberrly
says...
11:15am Wed 14 Dec 11
!! unbelievabubble!!!!!
frank says...
3:50pm Tue 13 Dec 11
'Deliberately not doing so is a crime and takes valuable funds from those who need them the most' is untrue. the money he stole , he took from the government / taxpayers NOT the genuine sick. they never see any of this mystical extra that is saved.