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£23k Black Country benefits cheat caught out performing on TV

An award winning guitarist was caught performing on national TV alongside X Factor stars JLS - all while claiming almost £23,000 in benefits he was no longer entitled to.

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Now Joseph Ross, who was paid for his services by the X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and Sony Entertainment, must hand back the money and has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

The 44-year-old was caught by investigators after a video of him playing his guitar during a performance by JLS on ITV 2's Xtra Factor emerged on YouTube.

Next spring the guitarist from Walsall is going on tour with Cheryl Fernandez-Visini and has worked with JLS, Girls Aloud and a host of other stars.

He also worked with stars including the late James Brown, Lemar, S Club 7, Gareth Gates, Eternal, MKS, Joss Stone, Patti LaBelle, Jamelia, Coolio, Notorious BIG, Shola Ama, and Mark Morrison.

Ross, of Loriners Grove, first claimed benefit three years ago when his work dried up.

Although he was entitled to do so at the time, he failed to tell the authorities that things had picked up again.

Joe Ross performing with JLS star Aston Merrygold on the X Factor

The benefit cheat was given a suspended prison sentence for claiming Jobseekers Allowance, council tax and housing benefit he was not meant to have between June 2011 and October 2013.

Ross told Walsall Magistrates Court he had financial difficulties and was going through a divorce at the time.

Mrs Maggie Meakin, prosecuting, said he received at total of £22,810 in overpayments that he was not entitled to.

"He was paid on the basis that he was not working. He was told that he should notify of any changes in circumstances.

Guitarist to the stars Joseph Ross

"In his interview he admitted signing on due to lack of work and when he found work he did not tell the authorities.

"He admitted he should have told the Jobcentre and confirmed the money went into his bank account," Mrs Meakin said.

Mr Ian Henery, defending, said: "He has five children and was left with debts. Yes he made a lot of money.

"But all that money went on paying his band and on the divorce.

"After he signed off he went on tour with JLS.

"He has worked with Girls Aloud and made a lot of money working for them for two years. He has been offered a tour with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini that will make him £25,000. He has paid back £400 so far. He needs to be in a position where he can pay back all the money to taxpayers.

"My client was seen performing with JLS on YouTube. He's had payments from the likes of X Factor, Sony Entertainment, and BBC's Strictly Come dancing. He is highly regarded in the industry, but the divorce left him high and dry financially."

He added that Ross was suffering from a bad back, but his next project will be with X Factor judge Cheryl in March.

Ross admitted an offence of making a false statement to the Department of Work and Pensions, and two offences of failing to notify Walsall Council of a change in his circumstances.

He told the magistrates: "I did sign off when I got the main bulk of work again."

Chairman of the bench Mr Ajmir Dhaliwal jailed him for a total of 26 weeks suspended for 12 months with supervision. Ross must complete the 20-day benefit fraud workbook course, pay £85 costs and £80 victims' surcharge.

The court was told he was interviewed by benefits investigators after a tip-off that he was on YouTube playing with JLS when he was claiming benefits.

Mr Martin Ball, from West Midlands Probation Service, told the magistrates: "He has worked as a musician for a number of years he understands that he should have declared that he was working. He says he did discuss this with the Jobcentre at that point before he was interviewed.

"The money he received was being paid to other musicians as part of the band."

In 2013 Ross, who has travelled the world playing concerts, was presented with a special award Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television and Arts (BEFFTA) Excellence Award for his role at the highest level in the music industry for 26 years. BEFFTA is the awards for black entertainment, film, fashion, television and arts.

Ross offers his services leading a band for events including weddings and performed at the Olympic Games in London 2012.

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