Taxi Driver Online

Liverpool Daily Echo

October 10, 2007, Wednesday

MAYOR & WIFE ARE CLEARED OF FRAUD PLOT RAP;

Two charges still remain

BYLINE: THOMAS MARTIN

THE FORMER mayor of Sefton and his wife have been cleared of one of the three benefit fraud plot charges against them.

At the end of the prosecution case against John and Catie Walker, the judge directed the jury to return not-guilty verdicts on one of the charges.

The charge related to conspiring to dishonestly obtain income support by failing to declare pounds 14,532 in councillor and mayoral allowances received by John Walker between July 2004 and January 2006.

Judge Brian Lewis gave the direction after agreeing with defence submissions that there was no case against Catie Walker to answer and conseguently there was no conspiracy.

Walker, 57, and his wife, 48, both of Farmer Place, Bootle, still face two other charges, which involve disability living allowance (DLA) between January 1999 and January last year, and income support, relating to failing to declare that Catie was working for a taxi firm.

It is alleged that John Walker claimed DLA on the basis he could walk only a few yards unaided, had dizzy spells and needed round-the-clock care. He also claimed that he had trouble communicating verbally.

But prosecution witnesses told Liverpool crown court that they saw him walking unaided and apparently without problem. He also spoke well.

Teresa Loftus, prosecuting, told the court that John Walker had received pounds 32,871 in DLA between January 1999 and January 2006, and income support totalling pounds 14,338 between September 2002 and January last year.

Walker, a Liverpool FC supporter, moved to Merseyside in 1988 where he set up a wine bar and restaurant with his wife.

The business lasted only nine months because of his health problems, which he believed began when he picked up an infection in Yugoslavia.

He was eventually diagnosed with ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, and has never felt well since.

He said that he had seen 28 doctors and tried various treatments, including immersing himself in cold water every morning, which he still does.

He began receiving income support in 1990, and although later that year or the following year he learnt he could apply for DLA, he did not then do so as he did not consider himself disabled.

Walker said he first claimed DLA in 1998 after his GP told him to go the citizens advice bureau about it.

He said that the DLA forms were "incredibly detailed" and he could not fathom them out, saying, "It was as clear as mud".

His barrister John Gruffyd said that the prosecution claimed he put down false details to get benefit, to which Walker replied, "Not true, not true at all".

He said: "I filled in the forms and whenever I filled them in I believed, and still believe, it was right at the time."

He said he filled in four forms over the years and each time he was examined by a doctor sent by the department of work and pensions.

Walker said he had not stated he was "virtually unable to walk", that was the category into which he fell.

He also pointed out that when he stated in 1999 that he could only walk 20-25 yards, that meant without extreme discomfort, as designated on the form.

By 2006 that distance had increased to 60 yards and Walker said he thought it had been less in 1999 because he had broken his ankle.

The court also heard that in 2000 he was also diagnosed with fibromy-algia and had borderline diabetes and periphial neuropathy.

(Proceeding)
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He had borderline diabetes????????? Did he also nearly have a heart attack?

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Grandad,

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Let me guess: a mistake anyone could make


Friend of yours Mr. T

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

oh yes

Unfortunately Skull, I do not happen to know this particular Lord Mayor although I have been on speaking terms with quite a few of his predecessors. and the gentleman who is Lord Mayor at present... I have not made any comments about his case simply because my knowledge of it is the same as yours....... although I can fully relate to his defence regarding the system he has been advised to use, apparently by the medical profession.
To most people Councillors are only men and women, but to a few they are demons. the same as a judge is to a villain....

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

He could have claimed insanity if he'd just thought to mention your name

I would have believed him

That's what you call an Iron clad alibi.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

As per usual... you totally missed the point.....but never mind commonsense is not a requirement in your world..
I see that Edinburgh has been voted the best place to live in the United Kingdom, a extremely well run city by a extremely professional council..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I believe the judging panel consisted of Harry Houdini, David Nixon and David Copperfield. Its Chairman was the Great Soprendo.



BTW I wonder if Bunty Backhander was the producer?



BTW2 Edinburgh is such a good place to live that its electorate dumped the Labour Party which was supposedly responsible for making it "so good" to live in.

1 11 2007


Ex Sefton Mayor John walker, and his wife Catie

A FORMER mayor of Sefton and his wife were today convicted of swindling state benefits.

John Walker, 57, a former Labour mayor of Sefton was accused of plotting with his wife, Catie, 48, to exaggerate his ill health to obtain disability living allowance (DLA) and income support.

The couple, from Bootle, Merseyside, were today found guilty of conspiracy to defraud in respect of the DLA.

The jury at Liverpool Crown Court has so far been unable to reach a verdict in respect of the alleged income support fraud.

The five men and seven women have retired again to continue their deliberations.
GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY just shows you, if the Mayor is bent , i wonder how many other people in sefton, are on disability living allowance

I believe this is the queue for the dole office.

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IDFIMH

I know john was on the fiddle, but how did he afford to drive, a bloody big JAGUAR I hope john does not go to jail . NO ONE DESERVES THAT.
He could always, see his mates and get a job driving a cab. .

A suspended sentence at a guess.

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IDFIMH

You sure?

Ex-mayor guilty of benefit fraud
A former mayor and his wife have been warned they may face jail after being convicted of falsely claiming benefits.
John Walker, 57, former mayor of Sefton, and his wife Catie, 43, were found guilty on Friday on a charge of conspiracy to defraud.

Earlier the couple were convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of exaggerating ill health to obtain £32,871 in disability living allowance.

The case has now been adjourned until 3 December for sentencing.


The court will be considering all options including immediate custody
Judge Brian Lewis told John and Catie Walker

The couple, of Farmer Place, Bootle, obtained a total of nearly £47,000 in disability living allowance and income support while Walker held public office, the jury was told.

The pair were caught out when fraud inspectors filmed Walker as mayor attending lengthy civic functions and making political speeches.

Judge Brian Lewis, told the pair: "The position is very serious and you should not read anything into the fact I am renewing your bail and ordering reports.

"The court will be considering all options including immediate custody."

The court heard that Walker, an ex-Labour councillor, stated on forms submitted between 1999 and 2004 that he suffered from the muscle condition fibromyalgia, ME and had severe disabilities which meant he needed round-the-clock care from his wife.

He listed "heavy night sweats" and swollen hands, arms and legs as effects of the illnesses and said walking long distances caused extreme pain and discomfort.

At the same time she was working as a taxi driver and the former mayor was claiming expenses in his council role.

On hearing the jury's verdict the Walkers' daughter, Emma broke down in the dock.

The final verdict comes after a seven-week trial.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 075115.stm

Published: 2007/11/02 13:51:16 GMT Well i suppose there are people who should be in jail . But they never catch them . Just let the man pay back 47,000 pounds . not a lot really . So sad