A MAN who falsely claimed more than £50,000 in benefits and then threw his rent book at investigators is serving an eight-month prison sentence.

Raymond Daniels, 56, of Copperfield House, Henry Dickens Court, North Kensington, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday, June 12, after admitting two counts of dishonesty against the Kensington and Chelsea Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Daniels had been claiming housing benefit on the basis that he was not working. However, when he applied for a parking permit for a lorry, council officers became suspicious.

Investigations revealed undeclared bank accounts containing more than £40,000.

Even though the accounts were in his name, Daniels refused to admit that the money was his, and midway through a taped interview he demanded the recorder be turned off and left the interview room throwing his rent book at the investigators. In total, he falsely claimed £23,636 in housing benefit, £4,414 in council tax benefit, and £23,193 of income support between August 2007 and September 2011.

After sentencing, councillor Warwick Lightfoot, cabinet member for finance, said: It is outrageous Mr Daniels felt that he could steal tens of thousands of pounds from the taxpayer. This prison sentence sends out a clear message to those who are trying to defraud the taxpayer and make it harder for those in genuine need.