Watch repairer cleared of benefit fraud

Saturday 02 November 2024

A watch repairer has been cleared of fraudulently claiming over £14,000 of benefits.

Andrzej Remigiusz Berkolec (63) was found not guilty following a four-day trial in the Royal Court this week.

He faced one count of failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Social Security Department between April 2020 and June 2022 relating to an overpayment of £14,078.11 in income support.

The court heard that Mr Berkolec lost work at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and started claiming the benefit – but the department was not informed when he picked up work again.

The court heard from Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, who explained that Mr Berkolec did not apply for the benefit himself.

He said that a friend had made the application for him because of Mr Berkolec’s poor English skills.

And when questioned by investigators, the court heard that Mr Berkolec had been confused about why he was receiving the money.

Giving evidence through an interpreter, Mr Berkolec said the friend had submitted documents in his name and explained that he was unaware his friend had sent emails on his behalf.

Jurats found Mr Berkolec not guilty of the charge this week.

Commissioner Alan Binnington presided, and sat with Jurats Elizabeth Dulake and Michael Entwistle.