Farang and his Thai wife on the fiddle
Man to face trial for benefits, money lending and prostitution
Tuesday, October 06, 2009, 20:41
A MAN has been sent to crown court to face a range of charges relating to false benefit claims, illegal money lending and prostitution.
Paul Thomas, aged 49, appeared before Plymouth Magistrates' Court accused of obtaining £25,000 in housing and council tax by making false statements.
He is charged with making false statements to obtain housing and council tax benefit on August 2 2005 and January 3 2007.
It is alleged that he said they had no other income or property when in fact they had an income from money lending, from selling games cartridges and that they owned property in Thailand.
Thomas, of Penlee Place, Mutley, has been further accused of inciting a woman to become a prostitute between June and August last year.
He has also been charged with six counts of providing credit without a licence on various dates between 2006 and 2009.
Plymouth magistrates heard that the total amount said to be involved was more than £20,000.
His Thai ex-wife Ratree Jungern, aged 31, formerly of the same address but now living in North Road East, also faces the housing and council tax charges.
She is accused of aiding and abetting her former husband in the unlicensed money lending.
Thomas has indicated 'not guilty' pleas to all the charges.
He was released on conditional bail to appear before a judge alongside his ex-wife on November 16.
Man to face trial for benefits, money lending and prostitution