A DESPERATE father left out of work during the first coronavirus lockdown fraudulently claimed more than £12,000 in pay for hours he never worked to feed his family.

James Hawkins, 35, had worked through a recruitment company as a driver for a car auctioneer.

In March last year, he was informed he would be offered no more work due to Government guidelines around the coronavirus crisis.

With no job and no furlough scheme to keep him going, the father-of-two became desperate for cash to pay the bills.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard he submitted timesheets for hours he had not worked.

A Colchester recruitment firm first received a false invoice for the week beginning March 30.

A further 14 weekly invoices were received, the last coming in July.

The court heard a total of £12,256 was paid out although Hawkins said he only received £8,000 after tax.

Hawkins got away with his fraud until a member of staff contacted him, querying why timesheets were still being submitted when the company he worked for had shut down.

The staff member said he would make further inquiries but was unable to reach Hawkins over the phone again.

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Hawkins, of Church Field, Ashdon, near Halstead, was arrested and made full admissions in interview.

He said he realised he had been rumbled after the phone call, so removed his Sim card to avoid further contact.

Hawkins told officers he was in a “desperate” situation, needing fast income to provide for his children and pay rent.

He put through the first timesheet as a “test”, and when it was successful he continued to do so.

Levent Kemal, mitigating, said Hawkins had taken full responsibility for his actions from the outset of the investigation.

Mr Kemal added: “He has two children, 13 and 14 years of age, and his pride as a father got the better of him.

“He used this as an opportunity to put food on the table and to pay the bills.”

Hawkins was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £12,256 in compensation.