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captain cab

Post subject: Torquay benefit cheat

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 6:00 pm

Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:25 pm
Posts: 37494
Location: Wayneistan

Brixham taxi driver claimed thousands in benefits while working, court told

A BRIXHAM taxi driver has been given a curfew after claiming thousands of pounds in benefits while working.

Royston Gwinnell, 48, of Drew Street, had his rent and council tax paid by Torbay Council while pocketing up to £323 per week driving his cab.

He agreed with magistrates in Torquay that it was a 'stupid thing to do' and promised to pay all the money back.

Gwinnell previously pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to notify the council of a change in circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefit.

Prosecutor Michael McCabe told the court said the fraud involved multiple payments between November 2012 and February 2014.

The total loss to the public purse was £4,181.

"He failed to notify promptly that he was a paid employee of Brixham Taxis," said the prosecutor.

Gwinnell worked between 15 and 52 hours per week earning between £93 and £323 net per week, he added.

He said the benefits were substantially funded by local council tax collection.

"He didn't tell the council and he had his rent and council tax paid for by the local council tax payer," said Mr McCabe.

"The defendant was and shouldn't have been getting his rent paid for by the council tax payer because the family coffers were already swelled by earnings."

The court was told 'it was not unusual for Gwinnell's partner to earn over £200 a week from her work'.

"They also received child and tax credit and working tax credit," said Mr McCabe.

He was caught out by a computer programme used by Torbay Council which flags up a possible issues with claims.

When questioned Gwinnell said he worked 10 hours a week as a driver for Brixham Taxis.

It turned out his working hours were much longer.

"He was aware that had he told the council his benefits would have been cut," said Mr McCabe.

A pre-sentence report by probation recommended a conditional discharge, the court was told.

Mr McCabe said this would be too lenient and would send 'the wrong message' to benefit cheats.

Mervyn Williams, mitigating, said Gwinnell had a heart problem and suffered from sleep apnea.

He said the defendant had started out making a legitimate claim and then started working on average between 15 and 18 hours a week.

Gwinnell, the court was told, now worked as a radio operator for Brixham Taxis.

Magistrates said the fraud involved a large amount of public money but they noted Gwinnell had shown remorse and promised to pay it back.

"Every penny, sir," the defendant said from the dock.

Gwinnell was given a six month community order and put under curfew for four months between the hours of 7pm and 6am.

He was also told to pay costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £460.

Read more: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/B ... z3Ul1a8767

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Sussex

Post subject: Re: Torquay benefit cheat

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:02 pm

Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:30 pm
Posts: 57371
Location: 1066 Country

captain cab wrote:

Royston Gwinnell, 48, of Drew Street, had his rent and council tax paid by Torbay Council while pocketing up to £323 per week driving his cab.

And if you believe that, you will believe anything.

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