Criminal rakes in so much in benefits he can make regular donations to Labour party

A serial offender has admitted he rakes in so much in benefits that he can make regular donations to the Labour party.

Stephen Nott, 61, has 30 convictions for 69 offences, including burglary and dishonesty.

Despite his record of offences, he is eligible for £ 3,000 a month in Universal Credit and a further £750 a month in Personal Independence Payments.

His monthly income — equivalent to a taxable salary of £60,000 — was revealed as he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting burglary.

Nott, of North Shields, North Tyneside, attempted to claim squatter's rights at a widow's nearby holiday home.

He then changed the locks and then "threatened" her son when he checked on the property.

The holiday home was used as a retirement holiday home and its owners would regularly visit.

Nott believed the property was empty and believed he could become its legal owner under squatter's rights laws.

The owner's son checked on the property in October and found it in order, but when he returned on December 27, Nott was in the home and had changed the locks.

Nott then "squared up", the owner's son said, adding that the 61-year-old shouted he would "complete a hostile takeover".

Nott was handed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months after Recorder Richard Stubbs said he had a "misguided understanding of the law".

He also disclosed his benefits income during the sentencing hearing.

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He admitted it was "horrible" for working people to learn how much he was raking in from benefits.

"I've even said, 'What the heck? Why am I getting all of this?' he told The Daily Mail.

"People can't believe it. But that's just what I get. That's the money they give us."

He added: "I know it's horrible to think about, that someone gets that benefit, but it's not that much, is it?"

He also donates £100 a month to the Labour party, as well as to a donkey sanctuary and the Humane World for Animals charity, he said

But he claimed his taxpayer-funded income does not go far because he pays £795 a month in rent, £177 on council tax, and other utility bills.

Of his most recent offence, he told the newspaper: "It was my understanding the flat hadn't been occupied since 2007.

"I got the locks changed on October 29. I was apprehensive entering but it was nice inside. It was like going back in time, to the 2000s, there was an old-fashioned television.

"I changed the gas and electricity into my name and I told all the neighbours I was living there.

"I also wrote to the relatives of the owner, letting them know what I had done."