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Magistrate jailed after benefit fraud

Published on 26 Nov 2009 under category: legal

A magistrate has been jailed for fraud crimes.

Stephen Barker has been given a 36-week sentence after falsely claiming benefits.

The 58-year-old was found to have received more than £18,000 in incapacity payments.

He had told the Department for Work and Pensions that he was left "too ill to turn on a tap" by arthritis and angina.

Mr Barker claimed the money between 2001 and 2005 and became a magistrate in 2003.

A spokesman for Plymouth City Council told thisisplymouth.co.uk that this case was "particularly galling" due to Mr Barker's position.

The representative added: "This sentence sends out the message loud and clear: Don't think you can get away with cheating. No one is immune from prosecution."

Earlier this week, a former policeman and an Aviva account manager were jailed for fraud crimes which involved using dormant bank accounts to redirect cash.

Stephen Spellacy and John Taylor were given eight-and-a-half year and five year sentences respectively.

If you require advice on Corporate Fraud please call us on +44 (0)20 7831 0101 and ask for Dan Hyde.