A CON MAN lived a double life pretending to be his dead friend to steal more than £30,000.

David Morrissey assumed the identity of his friend Colnan Conroy, to apply for a provisional driving licence, then opened bank accounts, claimed benefits and tax rebates and registered at doctors’ surgeries.

Morrissey, 64, of Windsor Court Brighton spent four years living a double life – claiming benefits under both names – before finally being brought to justice last week.

When confronted by The Argus he complained that he had a “serious drink problem” but could offer no explanation for his actions.

He started his four year ruse by applying for professional certificates from the Constructions Skills Certificate Scheme in Mr Conroy’s name, which he then used to support his claim for a provisional driving licence.

He used the fake driving licence to apply to Brighton and Hove City Council for housing benefit.

He then signed on at two doctors’ surgeries – the Charter Medical Practice, in Davigdor Road, Hove, and Beaconsfield Medical Practice, in Preston Road – to get prescriptions and medical certificates in the false name.

He used the medical certificates to support his claims for more than £30,000 of benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions.

He even applied to recruitment agencies for construction jobs and signed contracts purporting to be his dead friend, hoping no one would find out.

Meanwhile, between April 2012 and September 2016, Morrissey was also working and not declaring his income.

Morrissey’s four year web of deceit finally caught up with him, when DWP investigators discovered the medical certificates were fake and tipped of NHS investigators to help snare him. He was charged with a string of fraud offences.

Morrissey pleaded guilty to possessing a false identity document, 17 counts of fraud and two of dishonesty. He was sentenced on August 3 to a 16 month jail term, suspended for two years.

When asked by The Argus about his crimes, Morrissey said: “I was in trouble at the time. I’ve had a lot of problems in my life.

“I have a serious drink problem.”

Morrissey and Mr Conroy previously lived together in Powis Square.

Asked what he would say to Mr Conroy’s family about the theft of his friend’s identity, he said: “It doesn’t really matter what I say or do. I can’t say any more.”

A spokesman for NHS Brighton and Hove said Morrissey’s actions wasted the valuable time of GPs and surgery staff

When repeatedly prompted over whether he wished to make any apology to Mr Conroy’s family or the public who funded his fraudulent claims, Morrissey simply said: “I would say I’m sorry.”

NHS area fraud manager Andrew Morley said: “Fraud against the NHS will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be investigated and prosecuted. This type of crime takes valuable resources away from patients who really need the NHS.”