Ian Winter, a 40-year-old father of four, has been jailed for twelve months for benefit fraud after taking more than £50,000. He was caught out when he failed to declare his wife’s £60,000 bingo win.

Winter was held and questioned after a tip-off about the bingo win. It turned out the man had been illegally claiming income support, housing and council tax benefits.

Mr. Winter’s wife Tracy, 38, felt that the verdict given by the judge at the Birmingham Crown Court was unfair. “The judge was in a bad mood”, she said after the official ruling was made.

James Plaskitt, an anti-fraud minister, had a different view on the ruling. “Cases like this highlight the consequences for anyone who believes they will not be found out”, he pointed out.