An alleged fraudster accused of claiming his father died in the Grenfell Tower tragedy to get his hands on £5,000 and a free stay at a hotel was remanded in custody today.
Mohammad Gamoota, 31, allegedly declared he was living with his father on the 24th floor when the fire ripped through the building last June.
Gamoota is said to have made false representations that his father had died in the blaze in a bid to claim a £5,000 handout and a free hotel stay.
A 31-year-old man is accused of falsely claiming he was a Grenfell victim to get £5,000
According to the charges, he posed as a resident of the gutted tower block between 14 June and 29 July.
Heavily-built, bald and bearded Gamoota appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court wearing a black puffa jacket, a white shirt and grey joggers flanked by one dock officer.
The court heard the offence carries a maximum sentence of up to 18 months imprisonment if convicted.
He stood with his hands in his pockets as he denied two counts of fraud by false representation.
Gamoota was remanded in custody ahead of a plea, trial and preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on May 16.
Gamoota was remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court ahead of a plea hearing
It is claimed he applied to the housing and financial assistance to the Grenfell Tower fire fund.
Three members of Gamoota’s family sat in the public gallery throughout today’s hearing.
The inferno claimed 71 lives and injured 70 when the blaze took hold of the 24-storey tower block in north Kensington.
Gamoota, from Westminster, central London, is charged with two counts of fraud.
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