Director swindled £33,000 benefits

Judge imprisons fraudster for 18 months

A 35-YEAR-OLD Oldham man who had previously taken theory driving tests for learners, was yesterday jailed on eight counts of benefit fraud.

Shazad Akhtar, of Bolton Street, Glodwick, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

Last year he was initially charged with 22 indictments of obtaining and attempting to obtain driving licences by deception.

These were sold to unqualified drivers for thousands of pounds.

It was later found that Akhtar had illegally claimed housing benefit, job-seeker’s allowance and council tax benefit, thought to be worth almost £33,000 in total.

Akhtar lived at his Bolton Street home — which he claimed to be renting from a family member while unemployed — but no rent was paid and he was employed as a company owner and director.

Later he changed his name but continued to claim benefit under his true name.

Akhtar later bought an adjoining house, said he had fallen out with his landlord, and claimed further benefit for a council property he was provided with.

In the final and most audacious leg of his deception, Akhtar transferred the title of the new Bolton Street property from his assumed name of Khan to a visiting relative from Pakistan.

But in order to retain control of his interest in the house, power of attorney for the property was given to his father and son.

Det Sgt Darren Grafton from Oldham CID said: “Akhtar is a compulsive liar and fraudster.

“He thought he could swindle the benefits system and I am delighted he has been held accountable for his actions.

“Akhtar thought he could run a criminal enterprise and get away with it. But today he is starting a considerable prison sentence.”