Grenfell Tower 'fraudster' accused of claiming £80,000 from money meant for victims insists he WAS living in the block at the time of the fire

  • Sharife Elwhabe is accused of claiming hotels fees and council handouts
  • He appeared in court today to face a charge of  fraud by false representation
  • 37-year-old denied the charge and said he was living in the tower at the time

An alleged fraudster who received more than £80,000 while claiming to be a victim of the Grenfell Tower blaze today insisted he was staying with relatives there at the time.

Sharife Elwhabe, 37, allegedly pocketed £72,500 in hotel fees and spent £10,730 on a pre-paid card given out by Kensington and Chelsea Council to the victims of the fire.

The fraud is alleged to have taken place between 14 June last year - the night of the fire that claimed 72 lives - and 8 June 2018.

A 37-year-old man has denied defrauding Kensington council out of thousands meant for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

A 37-year-old man has denied defrauding Kensington council out of thousands meant for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

Elwhabe, of Chelsea, indicated a plea of not guilty to one count of fraud by false representation at Westminster Magistrates' Court today.

He shouted from the dock, insisting he was staying with his aunt and uncle in the tower at the time of the fire.

Defence Richard Jefferies told district judge Sandhu that the defence would rest on the fact that Elwhabe was resident at number 182 Grenfell Tower, where five people died.

He added: 'I should just say that Mr Elwhabe can be quite demonstrative so if you are taken aback by his demeanor it is just his character.'

Elwhabe shouted 'I'm pleading not guilty,' before he was asked to enter a plea and was asked to be quiet.

He added: 'I did not defraud anyone, I was staying at 182...' before he was cut off by the court clerk.

District judge Sandhu remanded Elwhabe in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on the 23 July 201

Elwhabe shouted from the dock when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today

Elwhabe shouted from the dock when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today

 

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