Jack Jones, of Risedale Road, Barrow, told police he ‘was not fussed about committing fraud’ because ‘everyone else does it’, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.
‘”I don’t care and I’m not arsed”, he told officers in interview, “f*** the government and the job centre.
“I’m not being taxed for the government to send my money to Israel.”
Prosecutor Peter Kelly outlined the facts of the case on August 27.
He said the 31-year-old began his claim for benefits on November 9, 2022, where he declared he was single and not earning any money. He also stated he had no other investments.
“An investigator from DWP began to investigate his claim on December 15, 2022, after the defendant notified the department of a change in his circumstances,” Mr Kelly said.
“He told the DWP he was unemployed and suffering from depression which affected his ability to work.
“The defendant signed a declaration which stated any failure to provide accurate information would lead to financial sanctions or prosecution.
“It became apparent the defendant had not updated the DWP that he was working as a self-employed gardener with his own business on Facebook.”
The court was told Jones claimed £3,057.93 in unentitled Universal Credit payments between November 9, 2022, and September 8, 2024.
Mr Kelly said the defendant was arrested after he failed to attend two voluntary interviews.
He made full and frank admissions to officers when interviewed under caution, the court heard.
“You’ve caught me”, he told police.
“I have been receiving money from my work. I’m not fussed about committing benefit fraud.
“Why shouldn’t I when everyone else does it.”
The court was told Jones also ‘expressed a degree of dissatisfaction with politicians’.
He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to an offence of ‘dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security’.
Last month, Jones was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work as punishment for abusing members of the public and the police whilst drunk.
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In mitigation, defence advocate Lisa Phizacklea said: “At the time he signed on, he was suffering from depression. He was still working, but in the winter months that work dwindled.
“He has shown me his bank statements, and I can confirm between October and December 2022 he was receiving nothing. At that time, the benefits were needed.
“He acknowledges he should have updated the DWP and the job centre for the work he was being paid for. He is complying with the requirements of his previous community order.
“He has caring responsibilities at the weekend for his nine-year-old son.”
Magistrates ordered Jones to complete an additional 90 hours of unpaid work as part of another 12-month community order.
They also ordered him to pay £85 in court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
No order to repay the overpayments was sought.
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