Paul Di'anno released from UK jail.

TheGauntlet.com has reported that former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'anno is out  of jail after he was exposed as a benefit cheat by posting his music videos on YouTube.

According to the Mail Online, Di'Anno (real name Paul Andrews) claimed he suffered severe nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working, but he was caught when Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators spotted a YouTube video of him jumping around on stage during a live show in 2006. Di'Anno was jailed on March 11th.

Says the singer: "Back home again, and looking forward to Running Free Again, and seeing you all in a few weeks. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes too. Also, relieved to say, I managed not to drop the soap!"

Di'Anno's Running Free Again will take him to South America and Europe in September/October.

Former Iron Maiden vocalist heading to prison in UK?

As first reported by The Gauntlet and The Daily Mail of London former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno has plead guilty to eight counts of fraud. Di'Anno claimed he had suffered nerve damage to his back and was unable to work even though he has continued to perform and tour. He has been charged with claiming 45,000 GBP or over $72000.00 USD in benefits he didn't deserve. Someone sent an anonymous tip to the Department of Work and Pensions via video footage of Paul on stage. Charges were promptly filed.

At a hearing the judge presiding on the case Honorary Recorder Justice Andrew Barnett told Di'Anno to prepare for jail time:

“You have got the sense and courage to plead guilty to these matters, but you have to understand that they are very serious. Although all sentence options will be open, you should prepare yourself for a prison sentence- and an immediate one at that.”

Di'Anno will be sentenced on March 11, 2011. He had been plagued with legal troubles over the years and just recently toured the US for the first time in ages. He had been performing a set of Iron Maiden classics from the albums he helped create, Iron Maiden and Killers. If you missed that run it might very well be a long wait until we see him on these shores again.