Ex-RAF police officer Alan Marshall jailed for swindling cash
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by Paul Hooper
A former RAF military police
officer has been jailed for nine months - for swindling cash from
the taxpayer.
Alan Marshall, 65, put in fake
claims for housing benefits and pension credits - netting him
nearly £70,000.
His seven-year scam allowed him
to buy his home in Warwick Road, Cliftonville at a knockdown price
of £125,000.
Canterbury Crown Court heard
that Marshall - who served in the RAF for 20 years - lied about his
wife working for the East Kent Medical Services.
And then he hid the fact he was
renting his home from his brother-in-law, said prosecutor Abdul
Gufur.
In 2007 he bought his home at a
reduced priced but still continued to pretend he was
renting.
The court heard he pocketed
£37,437 in false housing benefits and £31,215 in pension
credits.
Marshall, who pleaded guilty to
eight fraud charges, said his wife had no part in his
scheme.
Lucy Luttman, defending said:
"This was not done to fund an exotic lifestyle but to pay bills and
help subsidise his family."
But Judge Simon James said his
lies had helped fund a lifestyle to which he was not
entitled.
"You are a man who served in the
armed forces and as a military police officer.
"Your fall from grace from that
to the dock in a crown court has been dramatic. I am sure you and
your family feel deep shame."
The judge said defrauding the
taxpayer was no different than going into a neighbour's house and
stealing £68,000.
"If you did that, people would
expect you to be sent to prison. What you did is no less mean,
selfish or serious."
Friday, February 03 2012
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