Get the latest news from Manx.News

Benefit fraudster ordered to pay the money back

Mon, 06 Apr 2015

Fraudulently claiming benefits has left a Douglas man paying back over £3,000 to Treasury.

36-year-old Kevin Jones was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse last week after previously pleading guilty to three charges.

He admitted falsely claiming money on three occasions in 2013 and 2014, and also asked for three similar offences to be taken into consideration.

The court heard how his original claim for Jobseekers Allowance had been legitimate, but he failed to inform government when his circumstances had changed.

In total, he was overpaid by £3,567.90.

Sentencing him, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said any benefit fraud was serious; telling him "it means funds are diverted away from those who really need them".

However, she accepted the money hadn't been used for "extravagant purchases", and instead to fund a day-to-day lifestyle.

Jones was handed a 12-month probation order and ordered to pay back the outstanding money as well as prosecution costs of £125. 

---