POSTAL WORKER ADMITS £9,919 BENEFIT FRAUD

[TrueBlueTerrier]

This is Derbyshire

09:30 - 22 December 2007

A Postal worker pleaded guilty to dishonestly claiming almost £10,000 of benefits.

Mark Paterson, of Bentley Street, Allenton, claimed Income Support when he was living in Uttoxeter New Road from February 2001 to September 2006.

But the court heard that from October 7, 2005 to September 14, 2006 he had been working for TNT Post

In total, he pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining £9,919.91.

The 36-year-old said in court he did not realise until he appeared in court this week that the amount was so high.

He said: "This is the first time that I have heard how much I was overpaid."

Prosecuting solicitor Moira Waller said Paterson was interviewed under caution by the Department of Work and Pensions and, at first, denied that he had been working.

"Mr Paterson said someone else had done the work but would not say who it was or give a name."

But on Thursday, Paterson pleaded guilty to the offence at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court.

Deputy District Judge Cockerell told him: "There is a possibility of you receiving a custodial sentence."

He was given unconditional bail and ordered to appear for sentencing on January 24.

[norbet colon]

problem is that postal worker is usually Royal Mail.It's a tactic that's been used prior to privatisation , any little thing , the drip, drip effect as private =good , public =bad

[Spedley]

And the fact he was a 'Postal Worker' is relevent because .... ?

The story should read "Some bloke got done for benefit fraud which is good because the governement has spent millions advertising and trying to get you to shop your mates"