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."
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14 Comments
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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.”