Washington DWP worker stole £8000 in carer’s allowances meant for vulnerable people by diverting it to his bank account

A Washington man who worked for the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) stole up to £8000 meant for vulnerable people by diverting it to his own bank accounts.

Horace Brooks abused his position to access the accounts of 22 people who were entitled to either winter fuel or carer’s allowance and sent their money to his own accounts.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 41-year-old, who had nine bank accounts in his name, claimed he had taken the cash to help out family in Jamaica when he was collared and questioned after an audit.

But an investigation showed he had just sent just one £150 payment to the Caribbean and the rest of the money had been withdrawn in cash, used to make purchases of groceries or train and lottery tickets and spent at retailers such as Badoo, Ebay and Uber.

One £1,100 payment sent from one of his accounts had the reference “BMW 3 series”.

The total amount stolen was found to have amounted to £8300.

The court heard those waiting for the vital payments, who were financially vulnerable, did eventually receive the money they were entitled to, after a delay.

Brooks, of Doddfell Close, Washington, admitted two charges of fraud and two under the computer misuse act, committed between December 2022 and April 2023.

“People rely on this money and would have expected to receive it but didn’t because of your greed.

“You had the opportunity to steal from some of the most vulnerable in society and you did that.

“There must be some element of deterrence in the sentence I pass today.”

He was sentenced to eight months in prison.