A REIGATE duo have gone on trial in connection with a £100,000 benefit fraud.
John Cattrall and Julia Jones are accused of making "false statement after false statement" to win benefits they were not entitled to over a 12-year period.
Prosecuting at Guildford Crown Court, Edward Elton said the case was hooked on whether or not the pair were living together. He urged the jury not to believe they lived separate lives under one roof like in an episode of Steptoe and Son.
"We are saying they were living together as a couple in a sort of family unit where they met their financial obligations from pooled resources and while they were doing that, John Cattrall was busy claiming income support, housing and tax benefit on the basis he was a single parent," he said.
The address of both defendants was given by the court as Lonesome Lane, Reigate.
Cattrall, 43, denies six counts of dishonestly making a false statement to claim benefits, and two of failing to make known a change in his circumstances which affect his entitlement to benefit.
Jones, 41, a Barclays Bank cashier, denies three charges of dishonestly causing or allowing a false statement with a view to obtaining benefit.
"She knew John Cattrall was claiming benefits and helping him with the forms sometimes, and he was aware she was working at Barclays," claimed Mr Elton.
"The defendants have, because of the pooled nature of their resources, received overpayments in income support of £39,280.26, housing and council tax benefit of £49,031.48 and £12,236.48. That comes to a grand total overpayment they would not have received if they had been honest, of £100,548."
The trial continues.
