Former DWP employee in £37k benefit fraud

A Henleaze man ripped off benefit money from the government department he used to work for. (h/t Dave)

Robert Lyne was formerly employed by the Department of Work and Pensions, Bristol Crown Court was told.

But he pocketed just under £37,000 in fraudulent payouts by failing to reveal he had nearly £100,000 stashed in the bank.

Lyne, 63, pleaded guilty to making dishonest representations to obtain benefit, between October 2012 and March last year.

The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair QC handed him a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

The judge told him: "You dishonestly obtained social security benefits. It should be 36 weeks prison.

"But you are aged 63, you are completely clean of previous convictions and you have an exemplary background of employment. You have repaid nearly £37,000 of Employment Support Allowance."

Lyne was fined £1,000 and told to pay court costs of £360 and a victim surcharge of £115.

Gregory Gordon, prosecuting, said between October 2012 and March 2018 Lyne claimed £36, 915.20 in Employment Support Allowance, declaring he was unable to work and had £350.11 in savings.

Mr Gregory said: "He actually had substantial savings. At the start he had £94,988.90. The threshold for the claim is £16,000."

Lyne admitted his guilt in interview and apologised.

He said during the period of the claims he was looking after his father and had suffered family bereavements and mental health issues.

Lyne also produced a letter to the DWP, in which he said had savings, which was not received.

Nicholas Fridd, defending, said: "He is a man of good character. His offending simply makes no sense. There was no financial motive. He repaid all the money. He does not appear to have been thinking straight."

Mr Fridd said his client had previously worked for government departments, including the DWP, and had led an "exemplary" lifestyle.

Source