Drug-user who spent £40,000 ‘meant for his children’ jailed

Paul Mooney, 40, from Alby Road in Branksome, Poole, admitted failing to declare that he tucked away money in two bank accounts while receiving £41,581 in income support, council tax and housing benefits.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Nigel Mitchell said Mooney had received more than £97,000 from his father in 2003.

"That money came to the notice of the Department for Work and Pensions in the summer of 2006.

"The defendant was interviewed but denied having any money," he said.

Mooney later admitted having two bank accounts and receiving money from his father, describing it as "the kids' money".

Mr Mitchell said: "He said he had spent in excess of £40,000 on cocaine and heroin. The remainder was transferred to his sister's account and will be the subject of confiscation proceedings."

Defending, Justin Gau said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, adding: "The money wasn't his; it was his children's. It is a tragedy for them.

"Money for their benefit has simply evaporated; every penny has gone.

"When Mr Mooney was flush with the cash he was popular. When the balloon went up, his friends disappeared and he is now sleeping on the sofa of the only one who has stood by him."

Mr Gau stressed that at the time of "these rather mean offences", Mooney had been "abusing cocaine and alcohol to excess".

He said: "His father will no longer have anything to do with him, his wife has left him and he is a ruined man. The whole lot can be paid back - there will be zero loss to the public purse."

Sentencing Mooney, Judge Samuel Wiggs told him: "This is too serious for anything other than an immediate custodial sentence."

After the case John Martin, the DWP's South West senior investigation officer told the Daily Echo: "This is serious fraud and a crime we are determined to stop.

"We have powers to access people's bank accounts and look at transactions. I hope the sentence acts as a warning to others."