Stevenage man pocketed thousands in benefits whilst working three jobs

St Albans Crown Court heard how benefit cheat Paul Smith claimed incapacity benefit while holding down three different jobs.

Smith, 63, had been legitimately claiming the benefit when he stopped working as milkman in 2002 after suffering a heart attack.

But prosecutor Imran Khan said he failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions that he had started working again.  He worked as a delivery driver in 2005 until 2006, then at a Wilkins' greengrocer's in Stevenage from May 2006 to December 2009, and as a delivery driver between December 2006 and August 2008.

When questioned by the Department of Work and Pensions, Smith blamed his wife saying she did the paperwork. As a result Mrs Dawn Smith was interviewed and told the authorities she thought her husband had been allowed "a honeymoon" period of six months when he could work and receive benefit.

Smith, of Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, admitted benefit fraud when he appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday.

Defence barrister Martin Lahiffe said the amount of benefit he received could not be agreed. The prosecution said the overpayment was £22,142, but he said it was only £12,000. The amount will be decided at a Proceeds of Crime hearing at a later date. He said Smith would be fit to carry out unpaid work.

Recorder David Miller told Smith: "You brought shame on yourself and your family. You cast suspicion on your wife because of what you told those investigating your fraud.

"You were perfectly able to work.  It was a disgusting thing to do. The welfare system is designed for people genuinely in need."

He passed a one-year community order with a 16-week curfew between 8pm and 7am, seven days a week. He must also carry out 240 hours unpaid work.