Rastamouse creator, 64, denies he’s a benefits cheat by ‘not telling officials about income earned as an author’
- Michael de Souza, 64, denied failing to declare income from work as author
- Trinidad-born De Souza created the well-known musical mouse in 2003
- Author appeared in court in a light blue three-piece suit and traditional rastacap
- Expected to have two day trial on 22 July at Southwark Crown Court
The creator of the popular children’s TV character Rastamouse has denied being a benefits cheat.
Michael de Souza, 64, denied two counts of dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change of circumstances, with income arising from his work as an author.
Trinidad-born De Souza, who appeared in court wearing a light blue three-piece suit and traditional rastacap, created the well-known musical mouse in 2003.
The Rastamouse Creator Michael Desouza with a toy of a character from the show
The show follows the crime busting mouse and members of reggae band Da Easy Crew, who split their time between making music and solving mysteries for Da President of Mouseland.
Rastamouse was turned into a CBeebies TV show in 2011 and is voiced by Reggie Yates.
Matthew Humphreys, defending de Sousa, told judge Michael Gledhill, QC: ‘You may note he is wearing a hat, I understand that it is of religious significance.’
Judge Gledhill replied: ‘Don’t worry about that, let him be arraigned.’
De Souza, of Princethorpe House, Westbourne Park, west London, denied two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances between December 2016 and December 2017.
The Easy Crew Scratchy, Rastamouse, Zoomer from the television programme written by Michael de Souza
The judge added: ‘The defendant must understand that if he does not turn up when the case is listed, that is a separate criminal offence and it is likely that he will be tried in his absence.’
De Souza was bailed on condition of that he live and sleep each night at his home ahead of a two day trial on 22 July at Southwark Crown Court.
Rastamouse, the tea-time show for children, is voiced by Radio 1’s Reggie Yates and based on the books by Genevieve Webster and Michael de Souza – it was sold to international broadcasters after premiering on CBeebies.