Benefit fraud brings community service

A dance teacher who falsely claimed £8,000 in disability benefits was caught taking salsa classes. John Dennis of Aberystwyth admitted 17 cases of making false claims and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service. His lawyer said, "He appreciates the criminality of his actions and has shown remorse. He is trying to pay the money back".

A Daily Mail reader comments

He's 'trying' to pay the money back ...? Why isn't he being MADE to pay the money back ?

Another writes

I've got arthritis in my knee and drive 110 miles a day round trip to work every day to support my family - I've never even thought of stopping work and claiming disability allowance. It's nice to know my taxes over the last four years have funded this fraudster. I'd ban him and his kind for life from ever claiming benefits again and ensure he pays back (not just tries to!) every penny. In Blair and Brown's Britain unfortunately his behaviour is only encouraged.

An interesting line.

Meanwhile, a Swindon man who "plundered almost £30,000 in benefits he wasn't entitled to has walked free from court" (though he could have received about £16,000 in tax credits, making the notional loss to the public purse £12,222. Community service again.

No compensation order was made as the Department of Work and Pensions uses its civil powers to recover the money.

Is this regime a deterrent? You get some community service and you have to pay the money back if you can.

How much real disapproval do they get from their friends and colleagues? And what were their chances of being caught?

If the chances of being caught are low, this statistically represents a good gamble, like driving without a licence.