Not fare: Judge blasts cabbie who picked up £21k in benefits fraud
April 22, 2011
A cheating taxi driver was paid more than £21,000 in benefits after claiming he was too sick to work.
David Briddon, 60, was awarded council tax and housing benefit by Oldham council on top of his incapacity benefit.
His original claim was genuine at first when he was diagnosed with heart disease and asthma in 2005.
But between 2007 and 2009, investigators discovered he was well enough to regularly earn a living as a private hire driver while still taking the benefit cash.
Minshull Street crown court heard how Briddon, of Dale Square, Royton, had at first denied working, insisting his circumstances were the same.
He later admitted what he had done, saying he needed to pay off debts.
Sentencing, Judge Timothy Mort said: "You were working pretty much as much as you could, and I imagine some of your income was not even declared. Benefit fraud has been going on for years, but you timed it badly.
"This country is in a serious financial state, and people not paying their way affects everyone else, including honest taxpayers."
Briddon pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to notify the authorities of a change in his circumstances.
Prosecuting, Michelle Brown said that details obtained from Oldham council’s licensing department confirmed that Briddon had held a private hire licence since December 2006, and had worked for a number of private hire firms including Crompton and Royton Cars and Delta Cars.
Apart from his taxi work, he had also worked at Mecca Bingo between October 2005 and May 2006.
The total amount he illegally claimed was £21,521 – an overpayment of £12,024. in incapacity benefit, £7,365 in housing benefit, and £2,131 in council tax benefit.
The court was told he was now in receipt of benefit again because of deteriorating health, but was required to pay back the amount he illegally claimed. Tim Hopley defending, said he still had significant debts including £11,000 owed on a hire purchase deal on his present car.
Judge Mort handed him an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a three-month nightly curfew for which he must wear an electronic tag. He was disqualified from driving for three months, ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work in the community and pay £500 in prosecution costs.
He was warned that a breach of any of the conditions imposed would almost certainly result in prison.
[A mug-shot of David Briddon is available on the link below]
Source; http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... fits-fraud
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