A PENSIONER has been convicted of fraudulently claiming thousands in benefits despite owning four houses.

Richard Denby, of Moorlands, Benson, near Wallingford, was found guilty of five counts of making false statements with a view to obtaining benefits between March 2000 and March 2008.

The 70-year-old claimed pension, housing and council tax benefit despite possessing assets in excess of the £16,000 legal threshold.

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

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Prosecutor Michael Vere-Hodge QC said Denby, who was living in Kirtlington when he was arrested, owned four houses in Yorkshire and was a “consistent fraudster”.

He said: “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.”

Denby will return to Oxford Crown Court to be sentenced on November 28, after a pre-sentence report has been prepared by the Probation Service.


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