Swindling cousins walk free

Peter Walsh lived like a recluse while claiming housing benefit from Leeds City Council from 1995 saying he was a tenant at a property in Eastfield Crescent, Woodlesford, Leeds.

David Brooke told Leeds Crown Court from 1997 for several years Sandra Fowler provided documentary evidence that she was his landlady, even pretending to raise the rent on occasions, but that was all fiction.

Walsh was actually living rent free in a house belonging to his brother John, who had no idea of the deception following his generosity.

Graham Parkin, representing Peter Walsh, said he had returned home from working in Algeria traumatised after seeing friends killed in an earthquake and another in an industrial accident.

He began to live as a recluse and bizarrely had spent the benefit money he received via Fowler on cars he did not drive, clothes from charity shops not fitting him which remained in their bags and even trying to put a pool in his garden for a dog.

Peter Walsh, 66, who admitted 11 charges of false accounting was given 12 months suspended for two years while Fowler, 68, of Greenway Close, Leeds, admitted six charges and received six months suspended for two years. She has agreed to repay £10,000 to Leeds City Council.

The court heard if there had been a formal agreement to pay rent to his brother the benefit could have been paid legitimately.