http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news...iron_maiden_singer_faces_prison_sentence.html
Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno is facing a prison sentence after pleading guilty to benefit fraud.
The singer, real name Paul Andrews, admitted eight counts of benefit fraud and fraudulently claiming over £45,000 at Salisbury Crown Court last Thursday (February 10).
Andrews, who left Iron Maiden in 1981, claimed incapacity benefit after telling authorities he'd suffered nerve damage to his back and was unable to work.
According to the Daily Mail, Honorary Recorder Judge Andrew Barnett, who presided over the hearing, said the singer should expect a prison sentence.
In his summation of the case Barnett said: "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."
Andrews was charged with the offences after investigators at the Department of Work and Pensions received an anonymous tip-off that claimed he was still singing. They reviewed online footage and saw videos of him on stage as recently as 2006, despite the fact he had started claiming incapacity benefit in 2002.
He will be sentenced on March 11.
Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno is facing a prison sentence after pleading guilty to benefit fraud.
The singer, real name Paul Andrews, admitted eight counts of benefit fraud and fraudulently claiming over £45,000 at Salisbury Crown Court last Thursday (February 10).
Andrews, who left Iron Maiden in 1981, claimed incapacity benefit after telling authorities he'd suffered nerve damage to his back and was unable to work.
According to the Daily Mail, Honorary Recorder Judge Andrew Barnett, who presided over the hearing, said the singer should expect a prison sentence.
In his summation of the case Barnett said: "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."
Andrews was charged with the offences after investigators at the Department of Work and Pensions received an anonymous tip-off that claimed he was still singing. They reviewed online footage and saw videos of him on stage as recently as 2006, despite the fact he had started claiming incapacity benefit in 2002.
He will be sentenced on March 11.
