BBC DJ Lubna Qazi to be sentenced for benefits fraud

A radio presenter who fraudulently claimed £18,000 in benefits while working as a DJ for the BBC will be sentenced today.

Lubna Qazi did not tell the authorities about her work on the BBC's Asian Network while claiming carer's allowance for almost seven years. She will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court.

City magistrates committed the 53 year old to the higher court last month after she admitted a single count of failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change of circumstances, contrary to the Social Security Administration Act.

The presenter, from Colmore Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, was granted unconditional bail at the previous hearing.

Magistrates heard that the DJ, who broadcasts under the name Kanwal Qazi, began to claim carer's allowance after her husband had a stroke in 2002.

She then failed to declare that she was receiving an income in excess of the permitted limit while claiming the benefit between March 2003 and January this year.

Qazi presented a music show featuring tracks from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s but has not worked for the BBC since making it aware of the proceedings against her.