A DJ from Shepherd's Bush has been jailed for two years and four months for a string of offences including drug possession and benefit fraud.

Disc jockey Adrian Prince, 37, of Stebbing House on the Edward Woods Estate was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, March 12. At court he was given a two year sentence for handling a stolen Rolex watch and possessing cocaine, diamorphine and cannabis, and four months for cheating Hammersmith & Fulham Council out of more than £15,000 by claiming housing and council tax benefit that he was not entitled to.

The court heard that Prince failed to tell the council that he had started working as an DJ, spinning records for cash at various gigs, and was therefore no longer entitled to Job Seekers Allowance.

Because he did not declare this change in his circumstances or his real income, the council was unaware that he was no longer entitled to the maximum entitlement for housing and council tax benefit.

Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: " Benefits fraudsters who try to swindle this council will always face the music. The council carefully scrutinises how every penny of taxpayers' money is spent and we will continue to clamp down hard on those who think that fraud is acceptable."

In a separate case, a 41 year old-man from Greenside Road in Shepherd's Bush has pleaded guilty to swindling the council out of nearly £3,000 of housing and council tax benefit.

John Noel was receiving the money on the basis that he was not working. However, an investigation by the council’s corporate anti fraud service uncovered that he was actually employed as a security guard at three separate companies.

In total he defrauded the council out of £1,875 of housing benefit and £997 council tax benefit. He will be sentenced at Hammersmith Magistrates Court on Tuesday, March 27.

March 22, 2012