A PENSIONER who allegedly claimed thousands in benefits despite owning four houses was described as a “consistent fraudster” by a barrister.

Richard Denby, 70, of Benson, is accused of claiming pension, housing and council tax benefit despite possessing assets in excess of a £16,000 threshold.

The Moorlands resident denies five counts of making false statements with a view to obtaining benefits between March 2000 and March 2008.

He is being prosecuted by Cherwell District Council, Cotswold District Council, Waveney District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

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Opening his case to the jury yesterday prosecutor Michael Vere-Hodge QC said Denby, who was living in Kirtlington when he was arrested, owned four houses in Yorkshire.

He said: “His father was a solicitor in the Humber region and had acquired a large property portfolio.

“Mr Denby was saying none of these properties belonged to him and they were all part of his mother’s estate, which had never been given probate and was in some way in limbo.

“This wasn’t true, because [one of the houses] came directly to him from his father. He became the absolute owner of the property through his father’s will.”

He added: “We are not trying to prove what Mr Denby was worth at any time.

“We seek to prove that he was dishonest and he did not disclose assets.

“We suggest that the evidence is absolutely overwhelming that he was in receipt of income, and he was undoubtedly the owner of other properties because he dealt with them as owner. None of it was disclosed.’’ He added: “The evidence shows that he has been a consistent fraudster.”

The trial at Oxford Crown Court continues.

 

 

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