Vanderhoof – A man accused of stealing $50,000 in welfare money may have been living as “buddies with benefits” with another man, but a BC judge has ruled there was no proof that the two men were living in a common-law relationship.

The finding was key to provincial court Judge Darrell O’Byrne’s decision to throw out a fraud charge against Gordon Street of Vanderhoof.

Street was charged over accusations he received too much social assistance money, with the Crown arguing he failed to disclose he was in a common-law relationship with another man.

Street collected $50,000 over a period of five years beginning in 2001.

In September 2001, Street said he was single and never married on his assistance review, although he claimed to be living with someone at least twice while making claims for financial help.