Music

Ex-Iron Maiden singer faces jail time for faking disability

by Ciaran Thompson

Former lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno (birth name Paul Andrews), is facing a prison sentence after pleading guilty to eight counts of benefit fraud and fraudulently claiming over £45,000 (roughly $70,000) at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday.

Andrews claimed disability after telling authorities he’d suffered nerve damage to his back and wasn’t able to work, but the Daily Mail reports investigators at the Department of Work and Pensions received an anonymous tip pointing to online videos of the singer on stage jumping around.

Apparently Andrews, who was kicked out of the heavy metal band in 1981, had starting claiming disability in 2002 and the videos posted online were from 2006. Honorary Recorder Judge Andrew Barnett said the singer should expect a jail sentence on March 1.

“You have got the sense and courage to plead guilty to these matters, but you have to understand that they are very serious. Although all sentence options will be open, you should prepare yourself for a prison sentence – and an immediate one at that.”