Paul Di'Anno Faces Jail for Falsely Claiming Benefits
on February 12, 2011 @ 16:43
According to a post on Blabbermouth.net, former Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno is facing prison time after falsely collecting benefits for a nerve condition.
Di'Anno, 52, admitted swindling taxpayers out of more than £45,000 (approximately $72,000) by claiming a range of incapacity benefit, housing benefit and council tax handouts, by stating he was to ill to work, between 2002 and 2008. He claimed to be suffering from Sciatica, or nerve damage to the back.
D'Anno was reportedly busted when investigators at Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) received an anonymous tip that he was still singing. They then found videos and pictures on YouTube and the rocker's own web site of Di'Anno "energetically leaping around on stage, singing to fans around the world."
Honorary Recorder Judge Andrew Barnett told Di'Anno at yesterday's hearing at at Salisbury Crown Court, "You have got the sense and courage to plead guilty to these matters, but you have to understand that they are very serious.
"Although all sentence options will be open, you should prepare yourself for a prison sentence — and an immediate one at that."
