We'll catch you, benefit cheats told
BENEFIT thieves are being warned not to think they can get away with stealing after a doorman and debt collector was sentenced to nine months in prison.
The fraud, by Gypsy Dowley and his wife Lisa, was uncovered in a joint operation between the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the police.
DWP area fraud investigator Chris Hare today said: "No one should think they can get away with benefit theft. DWP investigators work closely with partners including the police to track down those guilty of stealing money they aren't entitled to and bring them before the courts."
As reported in the Sentinel Gypsy Dowley, aged 47, of Camillus Road, Knutton, admitted six charges of fraudulently claiming incapacity benefit between 2001 and 2008. He claimed more than £26,000 in benefits. His wife Lisa, aged 39, pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly obtaining income support and housing and council tax benefit worth up to £43,420 between 2000 and 2008.
She is understood to have claimed the benefits while working and making money from car boot sales and will be sentenced on August 28.
Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, commander of the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) at Staffordshire Police, added: "Benefit thieves must realise they will not get away with it. Offenders who commit this type of crime will get caught."
Related content:
Original court case: Couple's £70,000 benefits swindle
Judge clears PC after 'fatal' flaw in assault case
Youth custody for drink-driver who crashed car
Attacker says kiss got him wound up
Story filed in: News
14 Comments
View all
by steven, fenton
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 4:13PM
“as if thats me dad i didnt even know till i saw the paper lol you fool..... as long as that d*%! of a wife gets more time i'll be happy”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 11:02AM
“Richard, well come up from Exeter and give her surport then, they have knowingly lied off unneeded state handouts for years, and her 10 year old will be well cared for as she sirves her time. By the looks of some of these posts most of Knutton turned thses two in, well done Knutton.”
by anon, Knutton
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 10:56AM
“Gipsy, not so much of the big I'am now are you, fool.”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 10:51AM
“I'v stated what I think should happen to most of these spongers meny times, pay the money back, spend some time inside, and then banned from claming anymore cash off the state, work or starve, easy as that.”
by kelly, stoke
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 10:12AM
“its seems people who know these 2 have very different opinions i think somewhere in the middle is probably right.
i think they both knew what they were doing and both possibly didnt hide what they were doing and got far to greedy.I think it went beyound extra cash to surivive and pay bills and became a luxury they enjoyed having wether together or not.it maybe hard for her to see the comments but people really dont like the system being used and its sad about her facial injury but i dont see what thats got to do with this case.”
by Richard, Exeter
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 9:56AM
“This yellow journalism is like a 16th century Witch Hunt. It's breaking Lisa's heart. She has a ten year old son. Don't any of you think of that!”
by Richard, Exeter
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 9:24AM
“Lisa and Gipsy are not a couple. They have a mutual arragement for the benifit of their child.I'm Lisa's boyfriend and have been for the last five years. Lisa has not work since she had a bad facial injury. How about checking your facts beforyou post you spinless cowards. And Mark, you are the pot calling the kettle black.”
by happy!, staffs
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 12:09PM
“I am so glad these 2 have been caught, they are lying, theiving, scum Bags who think they really are in an elite group. well do to everyone who helped with crucial evidence and well done to the DWP!
they were totally in relationship whether it was sexual or not.”
by linda underwood, N-u-l
Monday, August 10 2009, 8:06PM
“I know for a fact that these two people do not 'live togehter' they came to an arrangement many years ago regarding the their family commitments,
I know for a fact that there is more to this case than what is being portrayed in the media as i said before the DWP are trying to be high profile, to cover for the fact that this operation boiler did not suceed in who they wanted to catch, so all they have done is move down the chain. I do not agree with mark from knutton as he should be the last person to cast stones!”
by E.B., Stoke
Monday, August 10 2009, 3:02PM
“Perhaps if the benefit police paid a few visits to the the pubs in Newcastle,and Stoke, they might catch a few more of the lazy scrounging dossers who drag this city down,
The ones with the walking sticks,who amazingly can get to the pub and back every day,but cannot manage to get out of their filthy pits in the morning to do an honest days work. Nip down to Tesco and watch the really disabled blue badge holders park in their selected spots,then leap out to do the shopping. I see these bone idle dossers every day,why can;t the benefit police.”