Accrington man's children lies for false benefits claims

Childless John McDonald, 42, made three claims in just over a year between 2019 and 2020, wrongfully stating he had four children and changing his claims to list a different address.

Sarah Gruffydd, prosecuting at Burnley Crown Court, said the claims were made on March 26, 2019, April 30, 2019, and April 7, 2020.

In each, McDonald used his correct name and correctly stated he was unemployed, single, had no health issues and no children.

A NatWest bank account was verified and his identification was verified by the gov.uk website.

On the first application, minutes after submitting it, McDonald made changes to his weekly housing costs and added that he had four children, born between 2012 and 2018.

That application was approved and £1,510.14 was paid into his bank account.

The second claim was almost identical bar the dates of birth for the children and another sum of £1,510.14 was paid.

On the third claim, after submitting, McDonald changed his date of birth on the application to February 28, 1968.

Later that day, he amended it again to say he had four children, this time using different names and saying they were born between 2010 and 2015.

A sum of £1,475.14 was paid into his bank account.

On each occasion, the cases were closed as McDonald failed to book an interview to progress the claim, and on the third occasion because he failed to provide evidence.

His claims were examined and it was found he made false declarations in respect of each advance payment.

He was eventually interviewed and said someone, though he wasn’t sure who, had made the claim on his behalf. Further interview attempts were unsuccessful.

McDonald, of Broadfield Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to three counts of retaining a wrongful credit.

Judge Sara Dodd noted McDonald had not offended since these events and none of his seven previous convictions were relevant to this offending.

He was given a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days.