A BENEFITS cheat whose pub sold 'the world's most expensive' burgers and tried to beat prison by claiming he was too fat had been kicked out of his Upper Norwood home.
Stephen Sussams, 61, who was jailed for a year in 2013 for pocketing £17,600 in care fees paid into a dead man's bank account, lost his legal battle to stay in his property in Marston Way last Thursday (June 26).
He had also claimed more than £14,000 in housing and council tax benefit after failing to tell the council he was living with his civil partner.
A judge at Croydon County Court gave council officers the green light on Thursday to evict Sussams after a lengthy battle to remove him from the property.
Sussams is the former landlord of the Royal Dart Hotel in Devon, which was famous for selling a £125 champagne and truffle beefburger.
He had tried to avoid jail in January 2013 by pleading with the judge over his obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Councillor Alison Butler, cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said: "This has been a long, drawn-out case and it's a credit to our housing legal and tenancy teams for their determination and hard work in bringing about this eviction.
"We don't take these decisions lightly, however this was an individual who abused the benefits system and in the process deprived a family in need of a home.
"The council's housing service will always take a hard line against those that try and cheat the system."
Sussams was found guilty of theft, dishonestly making a false statement or representation, and three counts of fraud by failing to disclose information at his trial in December 2012.
He had scammed £17,600 from the account of an elderly man he used to care for the day after he died in 2008.
He took the money from Keith Dickenson's account in five instalments before taking over the tenancy of his house.
He also fraudulently claimed housing and council tax benefit until September 2011 on the property.
