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Former Racial Equality Council leader jailed for identity theft Former Racial Equality Council leader jailed for identity theft
(35 minutes later)
A respected campaigner on racial equality has been found guilty of stealing another man’s identity, living and working under the false name for more than 20 years.A respected campaigner on racial equality has been found guilty of stealing another man’s identity, living and working under the false name for more than 20 years.
The man, known as David Onamade and the former head of Somerset Racial Equality Council, was given a nine-month jail sentence for using the birth certificate of a stranger from London.The man, known as David Onamade and the former head of Somerset Racial Equality Council, was given a nine-month jail sentence for using the birth certificate of a stranger from London.
Police are not sure how Onamade, 52, came by the birth certificate but Taunton crown court heard it was possible he obtained it while on a visit to Nigeria. The court was told other people in the west African country were believed to be using the same false name.Police are not sure how Onamade, 52, came by the birth certificate but Taunton crown court heard it was possible he obtained it while on a visit to Nigeria. The court was told other people in the west African country were believed to be using the same false name.
Former colleagues expressed astonishment that the man they knew as Onamade, who once visited former prime minister Tony Blair in Downing Street, had lived a lie for so many years. Former colleagues expressed astonishment that the man they knew as Onamade, who once visited former UK prime minister Tony Blair in Downing Street, had lived a lie for so many years.
During his trial, the jury heard from Helen Everett, his former partner and the mother of his two children, who said when she met Onamade at a nightclub in 1991 he had introduced himself as Steven Douglas.During his trial, the jury heard from Helen Everett, his former partner and the mother of his two children, who said when she met Onamade at a nightclub in 1991 he had introduced himself as Steven Douglas.
The following year they moved in together and she found a birth certificate in a different name: David Onamade. The defendant claimed this was his “family name” but he did not use it because his father had tried to control him and he wanted to live independently.The following year they moved in together and she found a birth certificate in a different name: David Onamade. The defendant claimed this was his “family name” but he did not use it because his father had tried to control him and he wanted to live independently.
From around that time he began calling himself David Onamade. Everett told the jury: “He absolutely 100% believes he is who he says he is. I feel sorry for him right now. He’s got himself in a mess.”From around that time he began calling himself David Onamade. Everett told the jury: “He absolutely 100% believes he is who he says he is. I feel sorry for him right now. He’s got himself in a mess.”
The deception came to light when the Somerset Racial Equality Council closed and Onamade, who had worked there for nine years, tried to claim jobseeker’s allowance. The national insurance number he provided belonged to the “real” David Onamade, a man with autism from London with no links to the fake Onamade.The deception came to light when the Somerset Racial Equality Council closed and Onamade, who had worked there for nine years, tried to claim jobseeker’s allowance. The national insurance number he provided belonged to the “real” David Onamade, a man with autism from London with no links to the fake Onamade.
In court, the defendant said: “I have worked all my life and no one has ever told me I am not David Onamade. He denied living a lie for so long that he could not back down and rejected the suggestion he had bought the identity in Nigeria.In court, the defendant said: “I have worked all my life and no one has ever told me I am not David Onamade. He denied living a lie for so long that he could not back down and rejected the suggestion he had bought the identity in Nigeria.
Simon Goodman, prosecuting, asked him: “What happens if you are not the person who you say you are ?”Simon Goodman, prosecuting, asked him: “What happens if you are not the person who you say you are ?”
He replied: “That’s scary.”He replied: “That’s scary.”
The Somerset Onamade, who lives in Wells, was found guilty of three charges of fraudulently trying to claim benefits and two charges of possessing documents – a birth certificate and a driving licence – for use in the fraud. He was jailed for nine months but, because he had served 13 on remand, was allowed to walk free. Onamade, who lives in Wells, was found guilty of three charges of fraudulently trying to claim benefits and two charges of possessing documents – a birth certificate and a driving licence – for use in the fraud. He was jailed for nine months but, because he had served 13 months on remand, was allowed to walk free.