A FRAUDSTER who illegally claimed £24,000 in Covid grants to help run his Westcliff vape shop has been convicted on multiple counts of money laundering.

Philip Staples, 43, of Penny Avenue, Milton Keynes, was convicted at Basildon Crown Court on Monday and sentenced to a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Staples ran a vape shop in Westcliff from March 2019, losing his lease due to rent arears in December of the same year.

Between May 2020 and April 2021, Staples submitted seven applications for covid grants, falsely claiming occupancy of the Westcliff property and gaining a total of £24,639.70 in grant funds.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend council, said: “This case demonstrates that the council will not tolerate fraud against the public purse and will actively pursue those who commit these crimes.

“I commend our counter fraud and investigation team for their diligence and determination in uncovering this fraud and ensuring accountability.

“Fraud against the council has a direct impact on our ability to fund vital public services. Thanks to the team’s efforts, we’re recovering these losses so that public funds can be used for the benefit of Southend residents.”

On Monday, Staples admitted to eight counts of fraud by false representation and 12 counts of money laundering.

The investigation into Staples’ financial activity began when a Southend Council data matching exercise indicated that the fraudster was claiming covid small business grants from both Southend and Luton councils.

Investigators later discovered that Staples owned vape shops in both cities and had failed to disclose this fact. Small business rates relief is typically only available to businesses with a single premise.

Of the £24,639.70 that was falsley claimed, £1,7792 was from wrongly obtained small business rates relief while £22,860 came from covid grant funds.

In addition to a suspended prison sentence, Staples sentencing conditions also include 35 rehabilitation activity days and a three-month curfew from 7pm to 7am at his home.

Incidents of financial crime can be reported in confidence to the Counter Fraud and Investigation Team on 01702 215254 or at counterfraud@southend.gov.uk.