Beggar who spent five years pleading for money in wealthy suburb lived in flat just a mile from his patch Christopher Turner used cardboard signs and dog to trick locals In reality, 51 year-old lived in Â£1,000-a-month flat nearby Famous neighbours included Eamonn Holmes and Julian Clary Argued with 'girlfriend' because he thought he worked too hard Christopher turner lived in a Â£1,000-a-month flat under a mile from where he was caught begging A beggar who pretended he was homeless for five years when in reality he was living on benefits in a wealthy London suburb tried to justify his actions by claiming begging was his '9-5 job'. Christopher Turner, 51, was found guilty of fraud after locals in Surbiton, South West London, complained that his bedraggled dog and handwritten cardboard signs were fakes. Turner's favourite pitch was outside an HSBC bank where he would use an array of signs to trick tourists and residents. But in reality, Turner was living in a Â£1,000-a-month flat just a mile from his begging patch as well as claiming housing benefit and financial assistance, police said. Eamonn Holmes, the television presenter, Ed Davey MP and Julian Clary, the comedian, are among those with links to the suburb. At the height of his begging exploits, the 51 year-old was thought to have been making up to Â£80 a day in addition to his benefits. Some of his fake signs bared a Christian cross and pleaded for help to buy food. Could you please help - I would be very grateful - thank you. God bless,' one read. Others had the star of David scrawled onto the top corner. It is believed he used the dog, which is of an unknown breed, to garner sympathy and maximise his profits. Turner was eventually arrested by police in October this year and charged with begging and fraud. He admitted all charges and was convicted last week at Wimbledon Magistratesâ€™ Court. Turner used several different handwritten signs, included some with Christian crosses and one with a star of David One local described hearing Turner, who was born on Christmas Eve, and someone who appeared to be his girlfriend arguing over his workload. During the row, Turner is said to have complained about his long hours, saying: "You can stop He added that it surprised him how many people had fallen for his fake homeless act. 'He probably makes more money than some of the idiots who donate to him, but that doesnâ€™t stop them doing it,' he wrote. It never fails to surprise me how many people give money to people like this. Another said it was about time he was rumbled. 'Heâ€™s got a cozy flat, a girlfriend and lives on benefits which he tops up with about Â£80 he makes every day doing his 9-5 outside the bank with his begging bowl,' he wrote. Eamonn Holmes and Julian Clary both have links to the wealthy suburb of Surbiton. Pictured: King Charles Rd where Christopher Turner lived Following Turner's conviction on December 12 last week, Kingston Met Police Service wrote on social networking site Twitter: 'Chris Turner, 51 of King Charles Rd Surbiton convicted of begging & fraud. Regularly begs with signs saying heâ€™s â€˜homelessâ€™ when heâ€™s not! Turner was ordered to pay a total of Â£113 in fines and costs, which will be deducted from his benefits, after admitting begging and fraud. Sergeant Dave Williams, from Kingston police, said: 'This man has a home. He receives housing and other financial assistance to support his living. There are genuine homeless people sleeping rough in Kingston and the police work with Kingston Council and Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness to support those in true need.