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Pensioner jailed for refusing to repay fraud earnings

Published on 30 Nov 2009 under category: legal

A pensioner who refused to pay back money he fraudulently claimed from the government has been jailed.

Brian Sutcliffe was found to have obtained almost £150,000 in benefits, despite earning around £60,000 per year as a company director.

The 76-year-old has been jailed for two years after refusing to comply with an order stating that he must repay the money plus interest.

He has also been told that he will have to pay back £167,944.59.

Sutcliffe had been given a three-year sentence in February 2008, being released earlier this year.

Since being ordered to repay the money, the pensioner has failed to comply with the ruling, apart from cashing in £20,000 in premium bonds.

Leeds Magistrates heard that he was unwilling to sell his home and had put it up for sale at an unreasonable price.

Last week, Stephen Barker, a magistrate, was given a 36-week jail sentence for falsely claiming incapacity benefits.

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