A SELF-employed man from Urmston who pretended to be jobless to claim more than £60,000 in benefits has been jailed for two years.

Jason Larkin, 44, formerly of Stretford Road, was convicted of dishonestly obtaining £62,044.28 in Income Tax, Employment and Support Allowance, Council Tax Benefit and Council Tax Support at Manchester Crown Court last week.

He pretended to Trafford Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that he was not working for five years, despite being self-employed.

Council counter fraud officers were alerted to this case by Greater Manchester Police who had been investigating Larkin for other non-related offences.

Having pleaded guilty, Larkin was sentenced to two years in prison, and Trafford Council and DWP are in the process of recovering all of the fraudulently-claimed money.

“The council will not stop in its quest to ensure only those people who are entitled to benefit support receive support,” said Cllr Patrick Myers, Trafford Council’s executive member for finance.

“The prison sentence Mr Larkin received in particular highlights the potential consequences fraudsters face and should be a stark warning to anyone.

“The message is simple, if you submit a claim fraudulently, or fail to advise us of any changes in your circumstances which results in you receiving money to which you are not entitled, we will find out and prosecute you.”

If you suspect anyone of benefit fraud contact Trafford Council on 0161 912 2852 or via the Freephone number 0800 328 6340.