Sacked council worker in court over £6k benefit fraud

John Arthur William Rose, 60, of Geneva Road, Fulwood, Preston, found himself out of employment after his misdemeanour, and then suffered two heart attacks that left him unable to work, Preston Magistrates’ Court heard.

Rose, wearing a blue fleece, shirt and tie, spoke to confirm his name and address.

He admitted between July 28, 2014, and July 6. 2015, he failed to notify Preston City Council he was claiming a work pension from Lancashire County Council.

He also admitted a similar charge between October 10, 2014 and July 15, 2015, of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions.

Prosecuting, Lynne Sayers said: “The first charge relates to housing benefit and the second to ESA allowance. Mr Rose was claiming benefits to which he was not entitled to. It amounts to £2,826 in ESA and £3,585 in housing benefit.”

She added Rose, who has seven convictions for eight offences, had received a lump sum and monthly contributions that he did not declare, affecting his claims.

Defending, Ivan Dickinson said: “This was not fraudulent from the outset – they were genuine claims. As a consequence of his conviction in 2013 he found himself out of work and spent some time claiming JSA. Regrettably his health took a serious downward turn.”

The bench imposed a curfew and ordered him to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.