Benefit-cheat postman caught on camera doing his rounds

[TrueBlueTerrier]

£30k benefit-cheat postman caught on camera doing his rounds

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... ht-2655408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the face of a former Derbyshire postman who falsely claimed more than £30,000 in disability benefits while he was working on his rounds.

Anthony Linaker claimed that the problems with his hips were so intense that he needed help getting in bed, dressing himself, getting out of his chair and even going to the toilet.


But in reality the 46-year-old father was working as a postman - doing up to five-hour post rounds, had a season ticket at Manchester City and had pictures on Facebook of him digging holes on a beach.

Derby Crown Court heard how surveillance footage (above) was taken by the Department of Work and Pensions, during their investigation, which showed Linaker on his rounds.

The court heard how he had been claiming disability living allowance since 2012 and had accrued £33,087.55 during that time.

Judge Jonathan Bennett, who presided over the case, slammed Linaker's "down-right lies" and jailed him for 26 weeks.

'Down-right lies'

He said: “You are 46-years-old and you pleaded guilty at this court on February 25, to two matters of dishonest representation for the obtaining of benefit, disability living allowance.

"Benefits are meant for those who need help.

“We live in times of austerity, the public purse is extremely tight and sometimes people who claim benefits are disparaged as scroungers.

“You are of previous good character, but this not a question of you exaggerating claims, you told down-right lies.

“You have a very long-standing condition with your hips and arthritis, but you had a partially-successful operation.

“We came across surveillance footage and there are pictures of you on a beach having fun with the family and the kids, which people benefit claiming can't do.

“I am going to give you a custodial sentence.”

False claims

Christopher Jeyes, prosecuting, outlined the case.

He said: “The defendant has been claiming benefits since April 2009 to May 2017.

“The false claims began in June 2012 until 2017. They lasted five years.

“He had a hip replacement in 2010 and had a leg brace.

“He claimed disability living allowance and he said he needed help to get in bed, help going to the toilet, help washing and drying himself.

“He also said he had difficulty getting out of his chair and his vehicle.

“It transpired these claims were untrue.

Man City and postman

“He was a season ticket holder at Manchester City and attended football matches regularly.

"He was employed as a postman.

"He was given some time off for the hip replacement.

"He was allowed to sit down when sorting post and he was capable of sorting for 2.5 hours and was bending to do so.

"He also delivered mail five hours per day and was allowed to drive the bigger van.

"Footage was taken of him on his round from a surveillance investigation.

"He was interviewed in June 2017 and in that interview he was worn down and accepted the claims to be untrue.

"He described it as disgusting and that he couldn't believe what he wrote.

"In total, he claimed £33,087.55.

"On his form he said he was working at the Royal Mail."

He is sorry

Nicola Hunter, mitigating, stated that Linaker was sorry for what he had done.

She said: "He is 46-years-old and has had deformed hips since his childhood.

"Coupled with that, he has osteoarthritis which causes him a lot of pain.

"He is sorry.

"He did make some admissions at interview and pleaded guilty at his first opportunity at this court.

"He has a wife and a daughter. His daughter is in the middles of her mock GCSEs.

"He has no previous convictions.

"His mother died last year and he has been grieving for her and been stressed about these proceedings.

"He has lost his job, lost his home and is on ESA and is paying the DWP back £60 a week off his own back."

'We are determined to catch those we suspect of fraudulently claiming benefits'

Following the sentencing of Linaker, now of Languard Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, the Department of Work and Pensions has issued a statement concerning those who dishonestly claim benefits.


A DWP spokesman said: “Only a small minority of benefit claimants are dishonest, but cases like these show how we are catching the minority who cheat the system and divert taxpayers' money from those who need it.


“We are determined to catch those we suspect of fraudulently claiming benefits by following up on tip-offs, undertaking surveillance and working with local councils.”

[Nicola12345]

A bit frickin harsh givin the guy a custodial sentence. Especially taking into account that he has now; lost his job, his house, and any means of income, which is an extra kick in the balls now that he has to pay up what he claimed on a weekly basis.
I'm sure those 26 weeks jail time would be better spent with him looking for a job to help pay off his new found debt. Ignoring this though, if the judge really wanted to go down the punishment route, give the guy community service. Let him work off some of what he owes. This is especially baffling considering the judge cited " Austerity " and all the usual crap that comes with that term. Only to waste more public money on this case, footing the bill for this guy's stat at Her Majesties Pleasure.