Fraudster sentenced to two years' jail

A 58-year-old Herefordshire man was sentenced to two years’ jail at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (January 30th) for fraudulently claiming £43,000 pounds in benefits from Herefordshire Council.

Peter Winston Davis, also known as Joe Davis, formerly of Lugg Mill Kingsland, now of Hopesay House, Brook Orchard, Marden, pleaded guilty to four charges relating to drawing benefits while working and failure to declare the full value of his capital and income at Worcester Crown Court on December 18, 2003.

Davis has owned several racehorses stabled in Newmarket under trainer Oliver Sherwood, who is Mr Davis’ son in law, and is a known figure in the racing world.

Counsel for Davis said that his client had paid back most of the sum and that both he and his wife suffered from medical conditions.

Davis was a professional cricketer for Worcester, a racehorse trainer and a builder.

He was declared bankrupt in the mid 1990s after which time the offences began.

Karen Darby, Herefordshire Council’s Benefit Investigation Manager, said: “This is a good result for the Council and sends a clear message that we take benefit fraud very seriously and we will prosecute where necessary.”

The Benefit Fraud Team successfully prosecuted 16 cases last year and the Authority has 14 more cases awaiting court proceedings.

Anyone suspecting benefit fraud are asked to contact the Benefit Investigation Unit (BIU) on 0800 592 953, in confidence, or write to the BIU at the Town Hall in Hereford.