A lying Uber driver – who hid seven bank accounts to get housing benefits – still hasn’t paid back a penny, more than three years after he was caught.

Mohammed Sultanzy received more than £30,000 in housing handouts from Gravesham council from April 2013 to Christmas Eve 2017.

When he was finally confronted, he claimed the money belonged to his father in Afghanistan.

But he later admitted he had blown it on holidays, new TVs and a car.

Prosecutor Robert Levack told Maidstone Crown Court: “As a part of his application he declared he lived with his wife and two children.

“He said he was self-employed as a private hire driver.

“Subsequently, it was discovered he had not declared all his bank accounts.”

Sultanzy, 37, of The Terrace, Gravesend, had nearly £20,000 stashed in several bank accounts and during the time he was claiming benefits his capital rose to £60,888.

"There are other needier people who are affected by dishonest benefit claims...”

The prosecutor said none of the overpayment has been repaid because Sultanzy launched an appeal against the council’s finding despite the magistrates’ decision to find him guilty of benefit fraud.

“As of April this year, no payment had been made,” Mr Levack added. A report was ordered before sentencing but Sultanzy refused to discuss financial details with the probation officer.

The Judge, Recorder Daniel Benjamin, said: “I note the reason you gave was that you had already told your solicitor and the magistrates’ court what had gone on.

“You told probation that you pay child maintenance to your former partner and if I send you to prison you will lose your accommodation and job and you will be unable to provide for your children, who you see every other weekend.”

He added: “This claim was false from the very start and, in my judgment, lying to obtain £30,000 of public money is serious.

“You claimed at the start you had one bank account with £200 in it...that was not true.

“On the day you applied, you had a total of seven bank accounts. Some had a few pence or nothing...others had thousands of pounds in them.

“As a result of your lie...you obtained £30,152.03 to which you were not entitled to.

“It’s not just the state which is the victim here, nor is it every taxpayer within the borough but there are other needier people who are affected by dishonest benefit claims.”

Sultanzy was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for 21 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work for the community.

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