Clive Miller
A former soldier who claimed almost £40,000 in benefits whilst owning properties in Spain and having £280,000 in his bank accounts has been handed a suspended sentence at Dungannon Crown Court, and is repaying the fraudulently claimed funds at £2 per fortnight.
Clive Miller (47) from Coleshill Crescent, Enniskillen was due to be sentenced last month but the judge, His Honour Paul Ramsey decided to adjourn to further study pre-sentence and medical reports as well as a “glowing” testimonial from a senior politician.
The former Royal Irish Regiment soldier admitted four charges of failing to declare a change of circumstances to the Social Security Agency, with two further charges of money laundering left on the court books.
Described by his barrister as having severe, lower back pain which brought serious mobility issues, Miller appeared in the dock on crutches.
The court heard Miller claimed Housing Benefit and Income support which came to an accumulated total of around £40,000 from 2002 and 2010. This made up of some £19,000 in Housing Benefit and around £20,000 in Income Support, over the eight year period.
Miller first purchased a Spanish property in March 2005 for €178,000 on a mortgage. Just over a year later in June 2006 he purchased a second property for €156,000 , also on a mortgage.
However he did not declare purchasing or owning the Spanish properties or the significant balances in his bank accounts. It was claimed Miller used his benefits to pay the mortgages on his Spanish properties.
HM Revenue & Customs became involved in 2009 after they discovered Miller claimed his only source of income was from benefits, over the previous six years. This was despite income from a house and bar in the popular resort of Alicante.
A police investigation then commenced which uncovered around £280,000 in Miller’s bank account and documents relating to the Spanish properties.
Referring to the pre-sentence reports Judge Ramsay said Miller had disgraced himself, was a broken man, both physically and mentally and had paid a high price, noting his marriage has now ended.
Judge Ramsay also made reference to a testimonial provided on Miller’s behalf by “a senior politician” who spoke in “glowing” terms of his voluntary work
Taking all matters into account Judge Ramsay sentenced Miller to 12 months in custody, but this was suspended for two years.
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