Fraudster who tried to claim Grenfell funds jailed

A benefits cheat used a fake identity to claim a flat close to Grenfell Tower before trying to get funds meant for residents affected by the 2017 fire, a court heard.

Adam Mejri, 47, used papers in the name of a previous tenant to get access to a flat near the north Kensington block where 72 people died.

Although the attempts to claim from the fund failed, he made a string of fake claims totalling more than £160,000 in benefits and council support.

On Friday, Mejri sobbed in the dock and begged for "mercy" at Southwark Crown Court as he was jailed for 42 months, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances.

Prosecutors said Mejri repeatedly tried to claim a £5,000 support fund for residents affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.

In March 2018, the he went to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council offices claiming to be the tenant of an empty flat close to the tower.

The real tenant had left the UK, the court heard.

Mejri produced identity documents in the tenant's name and the council removed a metal security door that was in front of the flat.

He then repeatedly tried to get a compensation payment for which the real tenant of the flat qualified.

But officials had concerns about his identity and the money was never awarded, the court heard.

Mejri was also redirecting the former tenant's post to other addresses and began sub-letting the flat for £1,200 a month.

Andrew Western, minister for transformation described Mejri's crimes as "a shocking and calculated fraud from a brazen criminal who stole a victim's identity, exploited public support systems and even tried to profit from the tragedy of Grenfell."

In July 2019, he allegedly used the same false identity to claim universal credit.

But he repeatedly avoided attendance at Jobcentre appointments, claiming to be physically and mentally unwell and that he was unfit for work.

When police looked into his Facebook account, the missed appointments coincided with times when he was in Saudi Arabia, the court heard.

The prosecution said Mejri claimed employment support allowance and housing benefit at the same time he was earning money by sub-letting two other properties in Westminster.

He had not declared the income to Westminster Council.

In total, Mejri took more than £52,000 in fraudulent employment support allowance claims, abound £107,000 in housing benefit claims and £4,000 in local council tax support, the DWP said.

In sentencing, His Honour Judge Baumgartner, said Mejri was a "thoroughly dishonest person who preyed upon the innocence and misfortune of others".

Senior crown prosecutor Richard Powell said: "Mejri's selfish actions took tens of thousands of pounds away from those who required genuine support and financial help."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk