Bouncer jailed for £34k benefit fraud
Edwards fraudulently claimed income support, incapacity benefit, and housing and council tax benefit after quitting JCB with a bad back.
But the 41-year-old was still claiming while he worked as a bouncer for Sovereign Security and Platinum Security between 2003 and last year.
Edwards had been caught at Keele University's students' union bar as part of a police and Government crackdown on bouncers who are working illegally in North Staffordshire's bars and clubs.
He was jailed for 12 months despite a plea that his wife would have to give up work to look after their two children if he went to prison.
Judge Paul Glenn told Edwards: "I feel very sorry for your wife, as she is going to have to bear the brunt of your sentence, and you have two dependent children.
"You knew what you were doing, and you were prepared to take the risk of being caught.
"It seems your regret is for being caught, and not for defrauding the taxpayer."
Edwards, pictured, of Marlow Road, Sandford Hill, Stoke-on-Trent, admitted failing to notify a change in circumstance in relation to income support, incapacity benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit, and making a false representation to obtain benefits.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Edwards may have been entitled to some benefits over those five years, but he had been paid in cash so it was impossible to tell.
Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, told the court that the claims had not been made to fund any lavish lifestyle. After the case, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed that Edwards was one of 12 people arrested on suspicion of benefit fraud in March 2008.
DWP fraud investigator Chris Hare said: "Fraudsters face heavy penalties and a criminal record.
"They will have to pay back the money they have stolen. It really isn't worth the risk."
Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, commander of the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU), said: "Benefit thieves must realise they will not get away with it.
"We worked with the DWP on the operation which resulted in the arrest of Edwards.
"Offenders who commit this type of crime will get caught."
Other benefit fraud cases:
Divorcee jailed for hiding settlement
Mum claimed benefit for 15 fake children
Comment on this story