3:36pm Thursday 2nd July 2009
A 37-year-old man is accused of running a shop, depositing thousands of pounds in the bank and driving around in a £25,000 car while claiming benefits for years.
Kashif Butt is alleged to - along with his wife - have bought a £275,000 house in Sandringham Road, owned a lease for a mini-supermarket in Leavesden Road, Watford, paid cash for a station wagon and have had £100,000 in the bank, while claiming more than £40,000 in benefits from Watford Borough Council and the state.
During that time Butt is alleged to have said he worked part time in a warehouse in St Albans.
Butt appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court via video link on Wednesday on seven charges of benefit fraud.
The case was adjourned for a hearing at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, August 3, when Butt is expected to enter pleas.
The father of five, now of Imperial Way, Hemel Hempstead, was remanded in custody until that date.
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