Benefits fraudster, Alan Forsyth, ordered to pay fines

Alan Forsyth, 36, of Norwich pleaded guilty to multiple charges of benefit fraud last week after he was accused of hiding six different bank accounts holding winnings from online gambling. Norwich Magistrates Court heard how Forsyth had received winnings worth $49,000 dollars from online poker whilst claiming he was unable to meet his council tax. Forsyth was diagnosed with ME in 1997 and had been supposedly unfit to work due to the limitations imposed by his condition. The court heard how Forsyth had begun claiming benefits in 2003 despite already having two undisclosed bank accounts. Over the next four years, he would continue to make claims as his total number of accounts would reach a total of six by 2007.

Forsyth claimed that his medical condition prevented him from correctly completing the necessary forms. Yvonne Blake, prosecutor for Norwich City Council said that Mr Forsyth’s condition offered no excuse for his behaviour. “If you have the concentration to play poker to the extent that you can win $49,000 in a single day, you have the concentration to fill out a form”.

President Howard Gill called Mr Forsyth’s actions “premeditated” and noted the significant “risk of substantial loss of money to the tax payer”. Forsyth has been order to pay £200 for each of his offences making for a total fine of £1,400 plus further prosecution expenses. Ted Bell, however, noted that Mr Forsyth was “not a well man” who “suffers greatly with pains and fatigue”. Urging compassion, he said that “He got stuck in his own web of deceit. He did start winning money and more accounts were opened”.