Benefits fraudster, 71, who wrongly claimed £54,000 in benefits by hiding a fortune in shares is convicted despite failing to turn up to trial three times – because he’s living on a Greek island
- William Gething-Lewis claimed he was too ill to travel from Greece to Swansea
- He was convicted in his absence of two offences at Swansea Crown Court
- Gething Lewis will be sentenced following a Proceeds of Crime investigation
A benefits fraudster has been convicted after failing to turn up for his trial three times because he is living on a Greek island.
William Gething-Lewis, 71, of Broadmoor, Pembrokeshire, was due to appear in court accused of fiddling £54,000 benefits by hiding a fortune in shares.
However, he failed to attend at Swansea Crown Court – and sent an email from Greece claiming he was too ill to travel to Swansea, South Wales, for his trial.
The judge at Swansea Crown Court ruled that he would be tried whether he was in court or not – and he was convicted of two offences.
He wrongly obtained £53,135 in pension credits and £1,509 in council tax relief between 2008 and 2013.
William Gething-Lewis, 71, of Broadmoor, Pembrokeshire, was due to appear in court accused of fiddling £54,000 benefits by hiding a fortune in shares. However, he failed to attend at Swansea Crown Court (pictured) – and sent an email from Greece claiming he was too ill to travel from Greece to Swansea, South Wales, for his trial
Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, said Gething-Lewis, of Broadmoor, Pembrokeshire, began receiving the benefits after saying he had no income and savings of only £100.
Shortly later he received an inheritance from his mother – and began banking income from shares without telling anyone.
Mr Rees said Gething-Lewis had written to Judge Geraint Walters admitting his offending but saying he had not acted dishonestly.
Gething-Lewis remained in Greece and it was accepted that he was very unwell.
He was found guilty of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions and Pembrokeshire County Council of changes in his circumstances.
Mr Rees said Gething-Lewis had already repaid Pembrokeshire County Council in full and paid £9,980 to the DWP.
Judge Walters said he would sentence Gething-Lewis after a Proceeds of Crime investigation had identified what assets were available for confiscation.