Benefits cheat who stole £50,000 of handouts secured a job processing Universal Credit claims

A BENEFITS cheat who stole £50,000 of handouts secured a job processing Universal Credit claims.

Chido Vincent, 57, got a Department for Work and Pensions job in 2023, despite his 2014 conviction.

The Nigerian has now been dismissed from the DWP in Leeds for a matter thought to be unrelated to his conviction.

He was jailed for 18 months for overstaying his visa and using a forged letter to claim benefits.

Mr Vincent said he did not have to disclose his conviction as it was past five years.

He said: “During the recruitment process I was asked everything and I answered honestly.

“They asked for my passport, right-to-work documents – I gave them everything.

“They said they needed to do a DBS. I gave them all the information and it came back fine, so I got the job.”

He added: “I did nothing wrong. I did what was asked of me. I was really shocked and surprised.

“On the DBS it says that if it’s more than five years, there’s no need to declare a conviction.

“What happened to me was 10 years ago so it was considered spent. I presumed there was no issue with me working.

“Now I have to start from scratch again and it’s disappointing.”