Islington Tribune - by PAUL KIELTHY Published: 28 December 2007
Care worker faked disability to get flat
A “MORALLY bankrupt” care worker who pretended he was unable to walk to claim an adapted council flat has been condemned by furious Town Hall chiefs. Kato Solomon, 48, of Surr Street, Holloway, worked as a health care assistant, advising patients on mobility issues, while telling his council he was disabled and out of work and needed a specially-adapted flat.
He was given the Harrow Council flat after claiming he had to crawl up stairs and needed a wheelchair to get around.
Solomon then fled to Holloway, leaving his family behind, when investigators started closing in.
Harrow Conservative councillor Paul Osborn said: “This is like something out of Little Britain. Kato Solomon might just have well said ‘I want that one’ as he showed absolute contempt for those who actually need and deserve benefits. “This morally bankrupt individual has effectively stolen, by deception, this specially-designed home that could have been provided to the very same persons he was meant to look after.”
Solomon, who pleaded guilty to benefit fraud worth £26,000 and to obtaining his £75,000 tenancy by deception, appeared at Harrow Crown Court for sentencing shortly before Christmas but had his case adjourned until January 22.