A businessman with a double life that saw him claim benefits in Croydon while running a gastropub in Devon has been convicted of fraud. 

Stephen Sussams, 59, falsely claimed nearly £15,000 in housing and council tax benefit after failing to tell Croydon Council that he had moved to Dartmouth and begun two businesses.

He concealed the fact that he was landlord of the Royal Dart Hotel, a gourmet pub in the Devon town that served £125 champagne and truffle burgers, allowing him to pocket £14,625 of council money between October 2010 and March 2012.

He also received £17,600 in carer fees as payment for looking after a man who was actually dead, withdrawing the money in instalments Keith Dickinson's bank account after he had died in August 2008.

Sussams was a live-in carer for the seriously ill Mr Dickinson at his flat in Marston Way, Norbury, from 2002 until 2008.

Croydon Council had paid money directly in Mr Dickinson's account to help him pay for his care, and did not stop the payments as it was not aware he had died.

Sussams had claimed he thought the money was a pension paid by Peter Stringfellow, and denied theft, dishonestly making a false statement or representation and three count of fraud by failing to disclose information.

But a jury of six men and five women unanimously found him guilty of all charges after 90 minutes of deliberation.

He was remanded in custody until sentencing on January 11.

Croydon Council is now to launch confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to establish if Sussams gained any assets as a result of his fraud.