- The first time he discovered he was in trouble was when a letter arrived
- from the Department.
- It was headed Fraud Investigation Section.
- An investigator was going to call at his home
- to interview him.
- Diabetic neuropathy;
- he had been unable to walk without discomfort
- for over a decade.
- He had been claiming benefit.
- His wife had taken a part-time job
- despite her own disabilities
- to supplement their meagre income.
- He had phoned the Department,
- was told his wife’s new job
- had been noted on his records.
- It was more than two years later
- that the fateful letter came.
- The investigator arrived
- on the appointed day.
- The interview was carried out under caution.
- He was stunned to discover
- his wife’s job
- was the reason for the visit.
- The Department claimed
- no knowledge of her job;
- when he said he had informed the Department,
- he was told point blank
- he was lying.
- His solicitor advised him:
- it would be his word
- against the Department’s.
- Best thing to do:
- plead guilty.
- ‘What happened to innocent
- until proven guilty?’ he asked.
- The solicitor
- shook his head.
- On the day of his court appearance
- he was handed down
- community punishment:
- 160 hours.
[Morning Star, 26/07/2011, Who are the real benefit cheats?]