Pensioner jailed for UK Spain benefit fraud

A PENSIONER has been jailed for benefit fraud after he claimed he was living alone in the UK, but was actually married and living in Spain.

Jimmy Rickner, 72, had claimed £48,282.87 (€60,260) and lied repeatedly about his living arrangements to fraud investigators for over eight years. He claimed that he was single and renting a room in a house in Devon, whilst he was happily married and had homes in both Granada and Cartagena.

The pensioner had been married since 2005 to Jennifer and his “landlady” was in fact his wife”s daughter, Amelia Wicks.  He lied during three separate investigations and was only caught after Miss Wicks admitted that he was not her lodger.

The prosecution claimed during the trial that Rickner had started claiming Pension Credit and Disability Living Allowance in 2005, he lied in the initial forms by confirming that he was single, however he was in fact living with Jennifer Wicks.

He had also claimed he was living as a lodger at two UK addresses – one in Exeter and the other in Otterton , but he and his wife had moved to Spain.

Rickner was jailed by Judge Barry Cotter, QC, for six months and may lose all of his assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act. He is currently repaying the overpayment at £10.90 (€13.60) a fortnight.

In his summing up Judge Barry said: “You were dishonest in three interviews. The aggravating circumstances are the length of time this went on. You were a financial parasite who lied repeatedly.

“The public view dishonesty of this sort at a time of financial austerity as behaviour which demands and calls for significant punishment. I doubt if any significant amount will be recouped.

“I have heard about the problems you have had in Spain and that your wife is suffering from ill health and I accept you are remorseful.

“The reality is this was serious and persistent dishonesty and you had the opportunity to come clean three times and did not take it. An immediate sentence cannot be avoided.”

Rickner told the court: “I would like to say how much I regret what I have done. All I want to do get my sentence over and get back to my wife in Spain.

“I have so much remorse. I just want to get this cleared up. I told a lie and it led to another lie and then to another and another.

“At the time I was too proud to admit to my wife what I had done and it carried on. I wish I could have stopped and avoided all this upset and taking all that money from the public funds.”