Ex-Corrie star in benefits fraud

Ian Mercer

A former Coronation Street star has been convicted of benefit fraud.

Ian Mercer (49), who played Gary Mallett in the popular soap between 1995 and 2000, pleaded guilty to claiming over £2,300 of council tax benefit to which he wasn’t entitled.

He also failed to declare the £200,000 sale of a property in Oldham, in 2009.

Only last week, Mercer was meeting fans at the world premiere of his latest film — Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides — in California, alongside Johnny Depp.

But Mercer, who now lives in Sheepwash, Northumberland, found himself in less glamorous surroundings this week — South-East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court.

The actor had been living with his now-estranged wife in a rented home in Pegswood, Northumberland, claiming council tax benefit for a year, starting in 2008, before his marriage broke down.

Anna Barker, prosecuting, said an anonymous allegation had been made that Mercer had been working, but failed to declare it.

Richard Graham, defending, said Mercer had repaid the full amount to the council and had had a problem with his employment being infrequent.

Mr Graham said his client thought that stopping his unemployment benefit claim meant that any other benefits he was getting would automatically be stopped too.

He said: “The council tax benefit is a deduction so it wasn’t the case that he was actually receiving the money.

“It was simply a mistake on his behalf. He’s very sorry.”

The actor, who has also appeared in other popular TV shows, including Shameless, Cracker and Waking the Dead, was fined £165, with a £15 victim surcharge and £100 costs.