A MAN made false claims for Universal Credit after seeing a post on Facebook, which said he could receive a £3,000 top-up on his benefits.

William Stanaway’s defence solicitor said the gift horse he had looked in the mouth had 'backfired dramatically', after he shared his login details with a Facebook fraudster.

Stanaway, 33, of Tomlin Avenue, Whitehaven, made an online claim for Universal Credit on March 21, 2020, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

In his personal circumstances, Stanaway disclosed that he was a single person with no housing costs or children to provide for.

But he had then made false claims to the Department for Work and Pensions that he needed housing costs and was responsible for children, the court was told.

In reality, the address Stanaway was living at was his parents’ property, which they own, and his children live with their mother.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Stanaway had made false claims for credit which were given to him.

An overpayment of £1,144.08 was made on March 24, 2020. He received another payment of £331.44 on April 5, 2020.

Stanaway later admitted he had made a Universal Credit claim online after seeing a Facebook post which said he could receive £3,000 if he had claimed Universal Credit in the past three years.

He had then transferred £430 to a third party account, saying he had to give money because they knew where he lived.

Ms Fee said Stanaway claimed that all subsequent changes on his Universal Credit application were made by a third party.

The court heard that Stanaway would have been entitled to about £300 as an unemployed, single person, aged over 25.

But by adding housing costs and children, 'based on fictious circumstances', he received two Universal Credit advances, totaling £1,475.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said: “It’s a bizarre set of circumstances. He’s eligible for Universal Credit. He is entitled, at the time he makes his claim. It’s quite properly claimed.”

Mr Woolaghan said having made that claim initially, Stanaway “then seizes this advert from Facebook”, which says he can get £3,000 on top of Universal Credit.

Stanaway provided login details to a man called Connor Light on Facebook.

“The changes to circumstances are being made by the person on Facebook,” Mr Woolaghan said.

“The defendant realises what he has done is wrong. He was in dire financial straits. He refuses to make payment.

“He calls the people at Universal Credit to tell them. They don’t seem overly concerned and tell him to call the police.

“The person on Facebook started sending photos of his children, taken from his Facebook, threatening to burn his house down.

“He then sends the payment.”

Mr Woolaghan said Stanaway had about £1,500 in Universal Credit paid into his account and about £500 of this had gone to the fraudster.

“He had lost his employment due to Covid. He has two children and had just taken out finance for a vehicle before losing his employment.

“He wasn’t in his right mind. This was out of character for him.

“There has been a very hard lesson learned for this gentleman. The gift horse he looked in the mouth backfired dramatically.”

Mr Woolaghan said Stanaway had already re-paid the money owed to the DWP.

Stanaway pleaded guilty to two charges of retaining wrongful credit.

He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

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