News

6 Sep 06

Poole Benefit Fraudster Caught Out

A Benefits fraudster who claimed £45,000 in benefits under false pretences, part of which was claimed whilst he lived in the Poole area, has been jailed for 18 months.

This followed a multi-agency investigation involving the Department for Work and Pensions link will open in new window, Bournemouth Borough Council link will open in new window and The Borough of Poole

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Paul Argyle had claimed income support for a back injury, housing benefit and council tax benefit, despite the fact that he had £40,000 in savings and that his wife was working.

The court heard how Argyle, 44, had splashed out on a motor home and spent thousands of pounds on a two-week holiday in Madeira after withdrawing £35,000 from his building society savings account.

The withdrawal was made just hours after Argyle was first interviewed by investigators.

Giving evidence, he claimed the savings had been intended for his children. He told the court he had only £500 left after spending the remainder of the cash on food and drink after his benefits were stopped.

Sentencing Argyle, Judge Jarvis told him: "What is plain is that you had a significant amount of money in various accounts while receiving benefits. These funds don't come from anonymous donors but are collected from the earnings of hard-working people who often find it hard to make ends meet themselves. They will be outraged when they hear of where their hard-earned monies have gone."

Steven Arnold

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