£160,000 fraudster jailed for two years

A FORMER Oldhamer who stole £160,000 from the taxpayer in a 16-year scam has been jailed for two years.

Eric Stone, who moved to Poole, Dorset in 2007, began claiming from Oldham Council in 1996. That year he married pub owner Lynne Wilkinson in a secret Dominican Republic ceremony. The couple went on to have two children, but Stone (51) continued to claim benefit under the pretence that he was single, childless and out of work. He had been buying and selling cars as a licensed dealer.

His wife ran the Prince Albert pub and hotel under her maiden name. Stone told officials she was his landlady and no relation.

The family moved to Dorset in 2007 and Stone claimed more benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions and the council.

Stone has paid back around £82,631 of the amount taken. He admitted five counts of fraud, two of making a dishonest representation for benefit and two of failing to notify changes in circumstances.