Man pretended to have cancer

A MAN who claimed sick pay from his employers after falsely saying he had cancer, and was receiving chemotherapy treatment, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Anthony Gavin (41), of Ballagh Road in Fivemiletown, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday via video link from Sweden, where he now lives. On the videolink he used the name Mark Gavin.

Gavin was charged with five counts of fraud by false representation in relation to the fake sick claims, which date back seven years to a period between March 7 and July 21, 2014.

The court heard that during the time in question, Gavin had told his employers, Americk Weltech at the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate in Enniskillen, he could not work as he was suffering from cancer and
was receiving chemotherapy treatment.

During that time Gavin asked for several advances on his sick pay, amounting to a total of £1,869, before he was asked to supply a sick note.

Defence barrister, Steffan Rafferty, said Gavin had also made the false cancer claim on social media, and had also given family and friends the impression he was seriously unwell.

The barrister said it was unclear why Gavin had invented his diagnosis, “whether for attention or sympathy”, but said it was clear he had not done it for financial gain for himself, given the “relatively small amount” claimed over a period of several months.

Mr Rafferty added Gavin had funds available to pay back the money he had falsely claimed, and asked the court to take into account the length of time that had passed since the offences.

Stating he felt it had been “a nasty offence”, District Judge Stephen Keown sentenced Gavin to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He also ordered him to pay £1,869 in compensation to his former employer.