"A SHAMELESS mum aged 28 claimed £17,000 in a benefits fraud - by pretending she had 11 KIDS", reports The Sun.
Lisa Watson invented names and birthdays for the fake children, ranging from one to 13 years old - including some said to be born just days apart.
Mum-of-two Watson, of Alness, Easter Ross, had just one child at the time of her year-long scam - but bizarrely did NOT claim cash for the real youngster.
Yesterday Sheriff David Sutherland branded it "one of the worst frauds I have come across in the benefit system".
He warned Watson at Tain Sheriff Court that she faces jail if the cash is not repaid.
He said: "It is quite appalling how one can claim to have this number of children when they don't. It was something you did knowingly."
Watson last year admitted making the false claims for £16,787 in working tax credits and child tax credits from July 2006 to May 2007.
Sentencing had been deferred for reports on how much money she had managed to repay.
Sheriff Sutherland was yesterday stunned to learn more than half the cash had been paid back - including £2,000 from a win betting on HORSES.
Watson's lawyer Diane McFarlane produced bank statements proving her client had been repaying at least £40 a week, topping it up with more funds when possiblee. She explained that £2,000 was repaid in the last month alone. Sheriff Sutherland inspected the bank statements, and queried a £2,500 transaction involving bookmakers Ladbrokes.
Miss McFarlane said: "Her partner occasionally bets on horses and was successful to get £2,500, of which £2,000 was paid toward the tax credit."
She added: "She has paid back more than half the sum that has been overpaid. She is making great efforts to deal with this."
Watson had also admitted claiming she worked at Manpower from November 2006 to January 2007, after her employment had ended in May 2006.
Sheriff Sutherland yesterday deferred sentence again until December, to allow Watson to prove she can keep up repayments of £50 a week.
He added: "I intend to have this money repaid in full. If repayments are not maintained it is inevitable that a lengthy custodial sentence will be imposed."
29 Sep 2010
Freud speech on benefit fraud confused
Criminal gangs who cheat the taxpayer out of billions through benefit fraud face a lifetime ban on claiming welfare under a new crackdown, reports the Daily Mail.
Lord Freud said officials will use the latest technology to cross reference Government and consumer computer databases to identify emerging patterns of fraud.
Speaking yesterday at the Institute of Revenues, Ratings and Valuation annual conference, Lord Freud said:
The DWP said the rules, to be unveiled over the next few weeks, will target organised criminal gangs and identity fraudsters rather than punish those who are simply baffled and genuinely misunderstand the system. But what about the thousands of deliberate individual frauds like those featured here week in week out?
A simpler benefits system which will reduce opportunities for fraud and error will also be introduced.
Ministers will be looking at a wide range of sanctions for low-value fraud, "including non-criminal fines" (someone should tell the DWP that such penalties exist already) – but they warn that tougher punishments will apply to those who are prosecuted ‘so that no one is under any illusion that the Government takes benefit fraud extremely seriously’.
But there seems to be no new policy announcement about routine benefit fraud - which is what most offends voters.
That's what they see with their own eyes.
Lord Freud said officials will use the latest technology to cross reference Government and consumer computer databases to identify emerging patterns of fraud.
Speaking yesterday at the Institute of Revenues, Ratings and Valuation annual conference, Lord Freud said:
We will put a stop to the fraudsters who infiltrate and steal money from our benefit system. Criminal gangs and identity fraudsters who persistently steal money meant for the poorest and most vulnerable people in our society will be severely punished.
We will track them down using the latest technology and when they have been caught and prosecuted, we will strip them of their assets and ban them from claiming benefits for long periods.
‘Arguably that should be for life in the most serious cases. If the gangs have come from abroad, we will deport them. (Even when they are from other parts of the EU? I doubt it.)
‘We are launching a major new initiative to fight organised benefit crime – one that not only prevents fraud, but detects, punishes, deters people from going down this criminal path.
The DWP said the rules, to be unveiled over the next few weeks, will target organised criminal gangs and identity fraudsters rather than punish those who are simply baffled and genuinely misunderstand the system. But what about the thousands of deliberate individual frauds like those featured here week in week out?
A simpler benefits system which will reduce opportunities for fraud and error will also be introduced.
Ministers will be looking at a wide range of sanctions for low-value fraud, "including non-criminal fines" (someone should tell the DWP that such penalties exist already) – but they warn that tougher punishments will apply to those who are prosecuted ‘so that no one is under any illusion that the Government takes benefit fraud extremely seriously’.
Earlier this year, six Czechs were jailed for a total of 30 years over a highly-organised tax credits fraud which allowed them to rake in more than £450,000. Thirty-six-year-old ringleader Petr Bogar set up a building firm in Gateshead, and then flew fake employees into Britain to claim benefits.At the start of the article, "fraud and error ... costs taxpayers at least £5 billion a year". By the end of the piece the problem has grown so much that
Last year, DWP investigators undertook more than 1,200 organised fraud investigations. More than 90 per cent of the cases led to prosecutions, with some getting between five and seven years’ imprisonment.
The £5billion extent of fraud includes £3.1billion in benefits and £2.1billion in tax credits.Those would be the most realistic figures yet from government if anyone had actually announced them.
But there seems to be no new policy announcement about routine benefit fraud - which is what most offends voters.
That's what they see with their own eyes.
Tax credit authorities easily duped
A Romford couple who fraudulently obtained nearly £150,000 in tax credits for ten fictitious children and claimed care costs for a child minder who lived more than 100 miles away and didn’t know them have received jail sentences for a total of 26 months.
Abiodun and Olanrewaju Olaleye’s scam was stopped after HMRC noticed discrepancies in their tax credit claims, says the paper with a straight face. Yes, they were onto it straight away, weren't they.
The couple, from Harold Wood, both made fraudulent applications as single parents which in total included 13 children; whereas in reality they had three.
In addition they did not include their full income and the childcare claim was for a non registered child carer in Lincolnshire.
Investigators also discovered that Abiodun Olaleye had made an additional claim using an alias in the name of Lateef Aremu.
Abiodun Olaleye was jailed for 20 months and his wife received a six month sentence suspended for 18 month with 250 hours of unpaid work.
Revenue officer Bob Gaiger said: “The vast majority of tax credit claimants are honest and claim only what they are entitled to, but this couple thought they could play the system. And for years they were right, Bob. They claimed for 13 children when in fact they only have three and costs for childcare with a childminder in Spalding Lincolnshire who had never even heard of them.
“Those who are tempted to commit this type of crime should think again as we will not hesitate to pursue them and bring them before the courts.”
Actually, the crime could hardly have been more obvious but it still took HMRC years to identify it. How many millions are spilling out of the centralised tax credit systems into fraudsters' pockets?
Oh and can we have our money back, please? Hm, thought not.
Abiodun and Olanrewaju Olaleye’s scam was stopped after HMRC noticed discrepancies in their tax credit claims, says the paper with a straight face. Yes, they were onto it straight away, weren't they.
The couple, from Harold Wood, both made fraudulent applications as single parents which in total included 13 children; whereas in reality they had three.
In addition they did not include their full income and the childcare claim was for a non registered child carer in Lincolnshire.
Investigators also discovered that Abiodun Olaleye had made an additional claim using an alias in the name of Lateef Aremu.
Abiodun Olaleye was jailed for 20 months and his wife received a six month sentence suspended for 18 month with 250 hours of unpaid work.
Revenue officer Bob Gaiger said: “The vast majority of tax credit claimants are honest and claim only what they are entitled to, but this couple thought they could play the system. And for years they were right, Bob. They claimed for 13 children when in fact they only have three and costs for childcare with a childminder in Spalding Lincolnshire who had never even heard of them.
“Those who are tempted to commit this type of crime should think again as we will not hesitate to pursue them and bring them before the courts.”
Actually, the crime could hardly have been more obvious but it still took HMRC years to identify it. How many millions are spilling out of the centralised tax credit systems into fraudsters' pockets?
Oh and can we have our money back, please? Hm, thought not.
28 Sep 2010
£32k benefit thief gets short prison sentence
An alcoholic mother claimed £32,589 in benefits for herself and her four children, even though none of them lived with her.
Tracy Williams, aged 34, from Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent, made claims for income support for herself and four children between May 17, 2006, and June 16 last year.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday that Williams had used the money to fund her addiction to alcohol.
She had pleaded guilty to dishonesty in failing to declare a change in circumstances at an earlier hearing.
Prosecutor Laura Hobson said Williams had completed a number of forms with the inaccurate information and signed declarations saying she would inform the authorities of a change in circumstances.
She said: "Throughout the period, she made her claim on the basis she had four children in her home."
Paul Cliff, in mitigation, said Williams had never been in trouble before and was very ashamed to be before a court.
He said: "You will see that Mrs Williams' life fell apart in 2006. Her drinking was unmanageable.
"At that stage she was dependent on her benefits to fund her addiction to alcohol.
"This is a young woman who made full admissions in her police interview. The pre-sentence report states that the risk of re-offending is low.
"It is quite clear that she has had a problem with drink for a period of 10 years."
Judge Paul Glenn imposed a 14-week prison sentence, of which Williams will serve no more than half.
He said: "Benefit fraud is serious because these types of offences are prevalent and easy to get away with.
"The victims of these offences are the honest people who pay their taxes. You knew it was dishonest because you admitted it in interview.
"You had no doubt got used to receiving that money. You have an alcohol problem.
"You also choose to use cannabis. This suggests to me that your involvement in these proceedings has not had a substantial effect on how you chose to live your life."
One commenter writes:
Tracy Williams, aged 34, from Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent, made claims for income support for herself and four children between May 17, 2006, and June 16 last year.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday that Williams had used the money to fund her addiction to alcohol.
She had pleaded guilty to dishonesty in failing to declare a change in circumstances at an earlier hearing.
Prosecutor Laura Hobson said Williams had completed a number of forms with the inaccurate information and signed declarations saying she would inform the authorities of a change in circumstances.
She said: "Throughout the period, she made her claim on the basis she had four children in her home."
Paul Cliff, in mitigation, said Williams had never been in trouble before and was very ashamed to be before a court.
He said: "You will see that Mrs Williams' life fell apart in 2006. Her drinking was unmanageable.
"At that stage she was dependent on her benefits to fund her addiction to alcohol.
"This is a young woman who made full admissions in her police interview. The pre-sentence report states that the risk of re-offending is low.
"It is quite clear that she has had a problem with drink for a period of 10 years."
Judge Paul Glenn imposed a 14-week prison sentence, of which Williams will serve no more than half.
He said: "Benefit fraud is serious because these types of offences are prevalent and easy to get away with.
"The victims of these offences are the honest people who pay their taxes. You knew it was dishonest because you admitted it in interview.
"You had no doubt got used to receiving that money. You have an alcohol problem.
"You also choose to use cannabis. This suggests to me that your involvement in these proceedings has not had a substantial effect on how you chose to live your life."
One commenter writes:
Seven weeks inside for stealing nearly £40,000? Now there's a way to deter others from doing the same! I wouldn't mind a pay packet of over £6,000 per week for doing nothing but sit in one of HM's hotels.
27 Sep 2010
Yet another easy single person fraud
A 28-year-old woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to benefit fraud amounting to £23,593.
Cerianne Abbott had previously admitted two offences of dishonestly making false representations to both Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and the DWP, and two offences of dishonestly failing to promptly notify Cheshire West and Chester Council of a change in her circumstances that she knew would affect her entitlement benefits, namely that she was living with her husband.
Mrs Abbott was sentenced to 80 hours Community Punishment Order to be carried out within 12 months of sentencing and is required to fully repay the overpaid benefit to Cheshire West and Chester Council and the DWP.
Cerianne Abbott had previously admitted two offences of dishonestly making false representations to both Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and the DWP, and two offences of dishonestly failing to promptly notify Cheshire West and Chester Council of a change in her circumstances that she knew would affect her entitlement benefits, namely that she was living with her husband.
Mrs Abbott was sentenced to 80 hours Community Punishment Order to be carried out within 12 months of sentencing and is required to fully repay the overpaid benefit to Cheshire West and Chester Council and the DWP.
- This case is sadly all too common. The sentence is routine too. This woman calmly stole over £23,000, so what are the chances of her promptly repaying us?
These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
Benefit thieves should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
26 Sep 2010
Law student jeopardises career?
A law student has been found guilty of falsely claiming benefits she was not entitled to.
Tania Cabuzel, 40, from Acton, pleaded guilty to three counts of false representation and failing to disclose information. She admitted to fraudulently claiming £11,428 in Housing Benefit and £1,287 in Council Tax Benefit over a three-year period from January 2006 to January 2009.
Ms Cabuzel, who was studying law at Thames Valley University, failed to declare her status as a full-time student over a three-year period while claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. She also failed to declare supplementary income from student loans and grants that she received during that time.
Ms Cabuzel, who also goes under the name of Tania Camara, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, concurrent for each offence. She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, also concurrent for each offence. Ealing Council is also recovering the money that she claimed fraudulently.
Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for Finance and Performance, said: "Ms Cabuzel knew that she was not entitled to the benefits she was claiming and lied to our investigators when interviewed under caution.
"What makes this case even more shocking is that she was a law student at the time of the fraud and would not only be able to tell the difference between right and wrong, but would also know the consequences of her actions.
"The council takes benefit fraud very seriously and we will always investigate those suspected of cheating" [my italics].
Tania Cabuzel, 40, from Acton, pleaded guilty to three counts of false representation and failing to disclose information. She admitted to fraudulently claiming £11,428 in Housing Benefit and £1,287 in Council Tax Benefit over a three-year period from January 2006 to January 2009.
Ms Cabuzel, who was studying law at Thames Valley University, failed to declare her status as a full-time student over a three-year period while claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. She also failed to declare supplementary income from student loans and grants that she received during that time.
Ms Cabuzel, who also goes under the name of Tania Camara, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, concurrent for each offence. She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, also concurrent for each offence. Ealing Council is also recovering the money that she claimed fraudulently.
Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for Finance and Performance, said: "Ms Cabuzel knew that she was not entitled to the benefits she was claiming and lied to our investigators when interviewed under caution.
"What makes this case even more shocking is that she was a law student at the time of the fraud and would not only be able to tell the difference between right and wrong, but would also know the consequences of her actions.
"The council takes benefit fraud very seriously and we will always investigate those suspected of cheating" [my italics].
25 Sep 2010
Trivial punishment for benefit fraud
Bolsover District Council announce that they and the DWP have successfully prosecuted a local Shirebrook man who was overallowed nearly £2,300 in benefits.
Adrian Ratcliffe from Shirebrook, Mansfield pleaded guilty at Chesterfield Magistrates Court to failing to declare he was working as a doorman for Level 1 Security between July 2008 to March 2009. Mr Ratcliffe received Jobseekers Allowance and Council Tax Benefit totalling £2,297 during this period to which he was not entitled.
He was fined a piffling £166, with an additional £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge and has repaid the overpayments to the Departments. It's almost as if magistrates want to give benefit thieves as small a sentence as possible.
In contrast with this a Council spokesperson grandstanded:
Adrian Ratcliffe from Shirebrook, Mansfield pleaded guilty at Chesterfield Magistrates Court to failing to declare he was working as a doorman for Level 1 Security between July 2008 to March 2009. Mr Ratcliffe received Jobseekers Allowance and Council Tax Benefit totalling £2,297 during this period to which he was not entitled.
He was fined a piffling £166, with an additional £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge and has repaid the overpayments to the Departments. It's almost as if magistrates want to give benefit thieves as small a sentence as possible.
In contrast with this a Council spokesperson grandstanded:
This is a blatant case of benefit fraud and one that we will not tolerate. The defendant had every opportunity to tell us he was working, but did not, so we had no choice but to take court action which was successful. This should serve as a warning to others that we will find out and we will take action if you are involved in fraud and claiming benefits you are not entitled to.Well, the so called punishment doesn't suggest that the magistrates considered the crime blatant at all - rather almost that they would have preferred not to be troubled.
24 Sep 2010
Housing benefit fraudster is on incapacity benefit
A COUPLE who pretended they were landlady and tenant cheated taxpayers out of more than £16,000 in housing benefit.
Heidi Lawrence, 32, from Roundswell, Barnstaple, and Cameron Provan, 39, of Gleneagles, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, claimed the benefit for years without admitting they were living together in a relationship.
At North Devon Magistrates' Court Lawrence pleaded guilty to two charges of making a false statement to obtain benefit. Provan pleaded guilty to the same two charges and an additional charge of intimidating a witness. The court heard while the investigation was under way, Provan approached an employee of North Devon Council's benefits office, shouting abuse and threatening to kill her husband. The woman's teenage child was with her at the time.
The prosecuting solicitor for North Devon Council, Trevor Blatchford, told the court the pair had first lied, by claiming Provan was a tenant, in order to get housing benefit in September 2002. They then repeated the deceit in March 2005.
They were wrongly paid housing benefit — totalling £16,566 — for eight years.
The fraud came to light in November 2009 when Provan was convicted in the magistrates court of assaulting Lawrence, who was by then his ex-girlfriend.
That hearing was told they had been in a relationship for 15 years, information which alerted the suspicions of the council's benefits team.
During the years they had lived together, Lawrence alone had a mortgage on the property they shared.
She worked full-time as a residential care worker at Chelfham Mill School. Provan was on Job Seekers' Allowance, the court heard.
North Devon Council made an application for £14,066 compensation from Lawrence and £2,500 from Provan, as well as £75 costs.
Laurence Overend, defending Lawrence, said his client had used the benefits to pay her mortgage, not to fund a lavish lifestyle. He said she was of limited means and had significant debts.
Defence solicitor Tim Hook said Provan was on incapacity benefit for mental health problems. His client accepted it had been stupid to speak aggressively to the witness and he had no intention of carrying out any threat.
Provan's case was sent to Exeter Crown Court for sentence. Lawrence was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and was told to pay £1,560 in compensation to the council at £30 a week.
North Devon Council said it would take action to recover the remainder of the fraudulently claimed benefit.
Heidi Lawrence, 32, from Roundswell, Barnstaple, and Cameron Provan, 39, of Gleneagles, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, claimed the benefit for years without admitting they were living together in a relationship.
At North Devon Magistrates' Court Lawrence pleaded guilty to two charges of making a false statement to obtain benefit. Provan pleaded guilty to the same two charges and an additional charge of intimidating a witness. The court heard while the investigation was under way, Provan approached an employee of North Devon Council's benefits office, shouting abuse and threatening to kill her husband. The woman's teenage child was with her at the time.
The prosecuting solicitor for North Devon Council, Trevor Blatchford, told the court the pair had first lied, by claiming Provan was a tenant, in order to get housing benefit in September 2002. They then repeated the deceit in March 2005.
They were wrongly paid housing benefit — totalling £16,566 — for eight years.
The fraud came to light in November 2009 when Provan was convicted in the magistrates court of assaulting Lawrence, who was by then his ex-girlfriend.
That hearing was told they had been in a relationship for 15 years, information which alerted the suspicions of the council's benefits team.
During the years they had lived together, Lawrence alone had a mortgage on the property they shared.
She worked full-time as a residential care worker at Chelfham Mill School. Provan was on Job Seekers' Allowance, the court heard.
North Devon Council made an application for £14,066 compensation from Lawrence and £2,500 from Provan, as well as £75 costs.
Laurence Overend, defending Lawrence, said his client had used the benefits to pay her mortgage, not to fund a lavish lifestyle. He said she was of limited means and had significant debts.
Defence solicitor Tim Hook said Provan was on incapacity benefit for mental health problems. His client accepted it had been stupid to speak aggressively to the witness and he had no intention of carrying out any threat.
Provan's case was sent to Exeter Crown Court for sentence. Lawrence was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and was told to pay £1,560 in compensation to the council at £30 a week.
North Devon Council said it would take action to recover the remainder of the fraudulently claimed benefit.
Lifeboatman in false disability claim
A man has been prosecuted for claiming disability benefits while working as a member of a North Sea lifeboat crew.
Mason Bentley, 34, of Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, was with the Flamborough Lifeboat for a year from October 2006.
He received a top RNLI bravery award for rescuing a swimmer in bad weather, Bridlington magistrates heard.
But Bentley admitted he was claiming Disability Living Allowance at the same time. Last Friday, he was ordered to repay false benefit claims of £9,942.
Magistrates also gave him a six-month curfew order, between 10pm and 10am, and ordered him to pay costs of £70.
Bentley, also known as Alistair Docherty, formerly of Ogle Road, Flamborough, pleaded guilty on 3 September to failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits.
He admitted claiming disability living allowance between 6 December 2006 and 14 April 2009.
In 2008, he was among a three-man crew which was given the RNLI's top award for the most daring rescue of the year.
The mission on 22 August 2007 involved rescuing a swimmer in "dreadful conditions" close to rocks off Flamborough Head.
Commenting on the conviction, an RNLI spokesman said: "Alistair Docherty, as he was known to the RNLI, was a volunteer crew member at Flamborough for only a year and we have had no contact with him for two years.
"The RNLI co-operated fully with the Department for Work and Pensions to help with them with their investigation."
Mason Bentley, 34, of Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, was with the Flamborough Lifeboat for a year from October 2006.
He received a top RNLI bravery award for rescuing a swimmer in bad weather, Bridlington magistrates heard.
But Bentley admitted he was claiming Disability Living Allowance at the same time. Last Friday, he was ordered to repay false benefit claims of £9,942.
Magistrates also gave him a six-month curfew order, between 10pm and 10am, and ordered him to pay costs of £70.
Bentley, also known as Alistair Docherty, formerly of Ogle Road, Flamborough, pleaded guilty on 3 September to failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits.
He admitted claiming disability living allowance between 6 December 2006 and 14 April 2009.
In 2008, he was among a three-man crew which was given the RNLI's top award for the most daring rescue of the year.
The mission on 22 August 2007 involved rescuing a swimmer in "dreadful conditions" close to rocks off Flamborough Head.
Commenting on the conviction, an RNLI spokesman said: "Alistair Docherty, as he was known to the RNLI, was a volunteer crew member at Flamborough for only a year and we have had no contact with him for two years.
"The RNLI co-operated fully with the Department for Work and Pensions to help with them with their investigation."
Luton fraudster gets longer sentence - when he's caught
A benefit thief who is on the run has been ordered to repay more than £55,000 within three months – or spend an extra 18 months in prison.
James Noel Gerard O’Shea was sentenced in his absence at Luton Crown Court on June 29 to two years imprisonment after he was caught defrauding the benefits system.
O’Shea fraudulently claimed £32,273 in housing and council tax benefit from Luton Borough Council.
O’Shea had claimed for a property in Alpine Terrace, Luton, which he stated he privately rented from a landlord called Noel O’Brien.
However, the council’s investigation team established that Noel O’Brien was an alias of O’Shea.
The investigation also uncovered that he was fraudulently claiming benefits using the alias Noel O’Brien for a second property which he owned in Maple Court, Luton.
A hearing under the Criminal Justice Act at Luton Crown Court on Thursday heard that O’Shea had earned £315,467 through his life of crime.
The court ruled that O’Shea had realisable assets of £55,247 and a confiscation order in that sum was made.
O’Shea now has to pay back the cash within three months or face 18 months in prison. The debt will stay with him until it is fully repaid.
Cllr Robin Harris said: “We are delighted with this result as we have recovered a significant amount of money from O’Shea and denied him his criminal assets.
“This is our third successful confiscation hearing so far this year and means that to date, we have seized criminal assets worth £103,634.
“O’Shea remains unlawfully at large and we urge anyone with information concerning his whereabouts to contact the police.”
James Noel Gerard O’Shea was sentenced in his absence at Luton Crown Court on June 29 to two years imprisonment after he was caught defrauding the benefits system.
O’Shea fraudulently claimed £32,273 in housing and council tax benefit from Luton Borough Council.
O’Shea had claimed for a property in Alpine Terrace, Luton, which he stated he privately rented from a landlord called Noel O’Brien.
However, the council’s investigation team established that Noel O’Brien was an alias of O’Shea.
The investigation also uncovered that he was fraudulently claiming benefits using the alias Noel O’Brien for a second property which he owned in Maple Court, Luton.
A hearing under the Criminal Justice Act at Luton Crown Court on Thursday heard that O’Shea had earned £315,467 through his life of crime.
The court ruled that O’Shea had realisable assets of £55,247 and a confiscation order in that sum was made.
O’Shea now has to pay back the cash within three months or face 18 months in prison. The debt will stay with him until it is fully repaid.
Cllr Robin Harris said: “We are delighted with this result as we have recovered a significant amount of money from O’Shea and denied him his criminal assets.
“This is our third successful confiscation hearing so far this year and means that to date, we have seized criminal assets worth £103,634.
“O’Shea remains unlawfully at large and we urge anyone with information concerning his whereabouts to contact the police.”
23 Sep 2010
Westminster reports on fraudsters
Almost £150,000 has been recovered from Westminster benefit cheats and 11 people were prosecuted for trying to claim too much money in the last year, according to recent figures.
Hundreds of investigations have been carried out into suspected fraudsters across the borough by Westminster Council.
Four people were successfully prosecuted for housing benefit fraud between April and July this year, and the council's fraud team is now working to recover £130,000 in overpayments.
These include a former council tenant in Nutbourne Street, Queen's Park, who was found guilty of one count of benefit fraud, which resulted in an overpayment of £6,490.
She was sentenced to six months in prison and was evicted from her home after she was found to be illegally subletting.
A further three claimants, also found guilty of benefit fraud, are awaiting sentence by the courts.
Further investigations into parking fraud have resulted in six resident permits or disabled parking badges being recovered, 52 permits stopped from being renewed and three caution letters sent to residents.
A further eight cases have been referred to the council's legal team for prosecution.
Hundreds of investigations have been carried out into suspected fraudsters across the borough by Westminster Council.
Four people were successfully prosecuted for housing benefit fraud between April and July this year, and the council's fraud team is now working to recover £130,000 in overpayments.
These include a former council tenant in Nutbourne Street, Queen's Park, who was found guilty of one count of benefit fraud, which resulted in an overpayment of £6,490.
She was sentenced to six months in prison and was evicted from her home after she was found to be illegally subletting.
A further three claimants, also found guilty of benefit fraud, are awaiting sentence by the courts.
Further investigations into parking fraud have resulted in six resident permits or disabled parking badges being recovered, 52 permits stopped from being renewed and three caution letters sent to residents.
A further eight cases have been referred to the council's legal team for prosecution.
Another comment from a visitor
Neil Bateman writes:
I find your site interesting.
The problem is that the media reports you rely on are usually misleading. In particular the amounts allegedly defrauded in individual cases is usually inflated as a result of poor knowledge and skill among benefits officials. The worst offenders are housing benefit staff who frequently fail to re-assess peoples' claims properly in the light of the true circumstances and instead assume there was nil entitlement.
I am a welfare rights specialist and I have carried out over 100 in-depth investigations for the Courts into benefit fraud cases. In over 95% of cases, the amounts defrauded have been incorrect - anywhere between 10% and 100%.
In addition, in most cases, if people had declared their position they would have received other benefits or tax credits which further reduces the true loss to public funds and which is relevant for sentencing.
Unfortunately very few criminal lawyers understand social security law, so these issues are rarely properly examined in prosecutions - I've had prosecution lawyers say as much.
I sent a summary of my findings to the Commons Select Committee last year and have met senior DWP officials to share my concerns. I can send this to you if you give me your email address.
People should be punished for what they have actually defrauded, not for amounts which are incorrect. If you steal £100 from a cash machine, you should get punished for stealing £100, not £500.
The inflated figures result in some people going to jail who should not and they distort the amount allegedly clawed back from benefit fraud - l know because I have had amounts revised dramatically downwards after my reports have been served on the prosecution, including many cases where people would have gone to jail unless I had shown the amounts were wrong.
Finally, your website often conflates the issues of benefit fraud with benefit dependency. The former is a criminal offence. The latter a complex socio-economic problem.
22 Sep 2010
£20k-£40k benefit fraud
Dole cheat mum Faye Wilson, who plundered more than £40,000 she wasn’t entitled to, has walked free from court.
Wilson, 36, from Derry Hill, Calne, claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit despite being married to a man who was working.
But after hearing she has two young children and may have been entitled to some tax credits if she had told the truth, a judge imposed a suspended sentence.
Oliver Willmott, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the claim for benefits was genuine when it started in 1998.
But five years later she married Anthony Mensah in Ghana and he entered the country on a spouse’s visa which stated the couple were married.
During the following five years he had a number of jobs working first as a security and then at Honda in Swindon.
Mr Willmott said investigators looked at the case in 2005, before the visa conditions were discovered, where the couple said they were not living together as man and wife.
But he said circumstantial evidence including accounts with Sky TV, eBay and insurance companies showed they were together.
During the five year period from 2003 to 2008 she claimed £41,217.19p which she was not entitled to.
Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts of benefit fraud.
Alan Fuller, defending, said had his client gone about things the right way the couple would have been entitle to tax credits which could have totalled more than half the sum she received.
Wilson was a single mum when she met Mensah over the internet, he said, and he was living in London and working as a security guard.
He returned to Ghana and tried to come back on a student visa, which was refused and she wanted to continue the relationship so they married.
On their return to the UK he lived in London and she in Calne continuing their long distance relationship.
He was returning to see her in Wiltshire and helping her as he could but not living with her as man and wife.
Mr Fuller said she had suffered depression and had an 11-year-old son with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a four year old daughter with Mr Mensah.
Passing sentence Judge Euan Ambrose said “In the guidelines £40,000 benefit would attract a sentence of about 16 weeks on a guilty plea.
“That is before I take into account of tax credits which you didn’t claim. If you had claimed them it could be approaching that £40,000 figure.
“It would be wrong for this to be reported as a £40,000 fraud. The net benefit is something between the two, somewhere in the middle. I don’t know and I can’t say with certainty what it was.”
He imposed a 12 week jail term suspended for 18 months and told her to do 240 hours of community service and pay £300 costs.
After passing sentence he said “You know that this is a last chance: breach this order and prison it is.”
Wilson, 36, from Derry Hill, Calne, claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit despite being married to a man who was working.
But after hearing she has two young children and may have been entitled to some tax credits if she had told the truth, a judge imposed a suspended sentence.
Oliver Willmott, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the claim for benefits was genuine when it started in 1998.
But five years later she married Anthony Mensah in Ghana and he entered the country on a spouse’s visa which stated the couple were married.
During the following five years he had a number of jobs working first as a security and then at Honda in Swindon.
Mr Willmott said investigators looked at the case in 2005, before the visa conditions were discovered, where the couple said they were not living together as man and wife.
But he said circumstantial evidence including accounts with Sky TV, eBay and insurance companies showed they were together.
During the five year period from 2003 to 2008 she claimed £41,217.19p which she was not entitled to.
Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts of benefit fraud.
Alan Fuller, defending, said had his client gone about things the right way the couple would have been entitle to tax credits which could have totalled more than half the sum she received.
Wilson was a single mum when she met Mensah over the internet, he said, and he was living in London and working as a security guard.
He returned to Ghana and tried to come back on a student visa, which was refused and she wanted to continue the relationship so they married.
On their return to the UK he lived in London and she in Calne continuing their long distance relationship.
He was returning to see her in Wiltshire and helping her as he could but not living with her as man and wife.
Mr Fuller said she had suffered depression and had an 11-year-old son with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a four year old daughter with Mr Mensah.
Passing sentence Judge Euan Ambrose said “In the guidelines £40,000 benefit would attract a sentence of about 16 weeks on a guilty plea.
“That is before I take into account of tax credits which you didn’t claim. If you had claimed them it could be approaching that £40,000 figure.
“It would be wrong for this to be reported as a £40,000 fraud. The net benefit is something between the two, somewhere in the middle. I don’t know and I can’t say with certainty what it was.”
He imposed a 12 week jail term suspended for 18 months and told her to do 240 hours of community service and pay £300 costs.
After passing sentence he said “You know that this is a last chance: breach this order and prison it is.”
21 Sep 2010
Benefit fraud by professional criminals
Three people have been jailed after what at first appeared to be a single instance of housing benefit fraud turned out to be a £1.25m scam.
A three-year investigation revealed that the fraud in Whitby, was only the tip of the iceberg and officers discovered a huge operation to defraud the benefit system and credit facilities.
Last night, a man from Durham City and a man and woman from Sheffield were beginning long jail sentences.
The inquiry began in July 2007, when Detective Constable Neil Jefferson started investigating a possible benefit fraud in Whitby.
He uncovered a link with Sheffield and a team from South Yorkshire Police’s fraud squad, which eventually led the case, found several false names were used to fraudulently obtain benefits, credit and store cards, and other credit facilities.
Inquiries led to raids on three homes in the High Green area of Sheffield, including one that had been stripped bare – except for a loft filled with filing cabinets and shelving containing details of dozens of false identities.
David Smith, 56, and Susan Clarke, 49, who lived next door, were arrested, along with Dennis Morris, 56, from South Road, Durham City.
The three pleaded guilty to a range of frauds between 1995 and December 2008. Smith and Morris also admitted conspiracy to conceal the proceeds of crime.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Morris and Smith were each jailed for four years for fraud. Clarke was given 21 months.
Smith was also given five years’ concurrent for possession of a firearm and 18 months’ concurrent for possession of a CS gas cannister.
Detective Sergeant Aaron Day, from South Yorkshire’s fraud investigation team, said the loft office contained files of false names with details such as employment history, salary, false national insurance numbers and false wage slips.
“There was enough information in these files to create a full false identity on the electoral roll and false driving licences.
“It’s fair to say this was a fulltime occupation for the accused and over a period of years, they obtained £1.25m.”
A three-year investigation revealed that the fraud in Whitby, was only the tip of the iceberg and officers discovered a huge operation to defraud the benefit system and credit facilities.
Last night, a man from Durham City and a man and woman from Sheffield were beginning long jail sentences.
The inquiry began in July 2007, when Detective Constable Neil Jefferson started investigating a possible benefit fraud in Whitby.
He uncovered a link with Sheffield and a team from South Yorkshire Police’s fraud squad, which eventually led the case, found several false names were used to fraudulently obtain benefits, credit and store cards, and other credit facilities.
Inquiries led to raids on three homes in the High Green area of Sheffield, including one that had been stripped bare – except for a loft filled with filing cabinets and shelving containing details of dozens of false identities.
David Smith, 56, and Susan Clarke, 49, who lived next door, were arrested, along with Dennis Morris, 56, from South Road, Durham City.
The three pleaded guilty to a range of frauds between 1995 and December 2008. Smith and Morris also admitted conspiracy to conceal the proceeds of crime.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Morris and Smith were each jailed for four years for fraud. Clarke was given 21 months.
Smith was also given five years’ concurrent for possession of a firearm and 18 months’ concurrent for possession of a CS gas cannister.
Detective Sergeant Aaron Day, from South Yorkshire’s fraud investigation team, said the loft office contained files of false names with details such as employment history, salary, false national insurance numbers and false wage slips.
“There was enough information in these files to create a full false identity on the electoral roll and false driving licences.
“It’s fair to say this was a fulltime occupation for the accused and over a period of years, they obtained £1.25m.”
20 Sep 2010
Blue badge fraud highlighted
Sunday's Telegraph has highlighted disabled blue badge fraud.
In Leeds, says the paper, a city council investigation found over 60% of badges were being misused.... In Edinburgh, officials think the problem is even worse, with 70% of badges being misused. More
And an example of - less efficient - on the ground enforcement is here.
In Leeds, says the paper, a city council investigation found over 60% of badges were being misused.... In Edinburgh, officials think the problem is even worse, with 70% of badges being misused. More
And an example of - less efficient - on the ground enforcement is here.
17 Sep 2010
More hidden housing benefit fraud
Here we published a comment from a housing offical about hidden housing benefit fraud.
Another front line officer has added their own comment:
These comments suggest that the true figure may be a LOT higher.
Another front line officer has added their own comment:
I work in Housing Benefit and the same thing happens, eg, a Somalian woman who keeps having children (she claims she visits Somalia for one week at a time), tried getting Fraud involved but they're not interested.DWP figures report £17.1bn paid out in housing benefit. Fraud is put at £260m (up from 1.2% to 1.5%!).
Many single parents are nothing but. Plus their adult sons "dont live here its just a care of address".
These comments suggest that the true figure may be a LOT higher.
16 Sep 2010
More light sentences for benefit fraud
A benefit cheat trousered nearly £34,000 by hiding an inheritance windfall.
Deborah Walker failed to declare the £87,000 she inherited from her grandparents so her benefit wouldn’t be cut.
And when her deception finally came to light, the 43-year-old lied to try and cover her tracks.
She told investigators from the Department of Work and Pensions the money belonged to a friend but was in her bank while he was separated from his wife, a court heard.
But in a second interview she came clean when presented with further evidence, Michael Baker, prosecuting told Gateshead magistrates.
He said: “She admitted that she didn’t inform Gateshead Council or the DWP about the inheritance. When asked why, she said she wanted the money which had been saved by her grandparents for her children and knew if she declared it her benefits would be affected.”
Walker was overpaid £23,710 Income Support, £7,960 housing benefit and £2,248 Council Tax benefit over three years between 2005 and 2008.
Walker admitted two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances and was given six weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 months supervised community order. She must also do 100 hours’ unpaid work and be subject to a 52-day electronic curfew.
Chairman of the bench Alistair Robson told her: “The aggravating features are that it is a large amount of money, over a long period of time and you did this intentionally.” Kate Barnes, defending, said Walker, who is of previous good character, started off by making a legitimate claim for Income Support and other benefits in 1991, then in 2005 received the inheritance.
She said initially she thought she didn’t need to declare the money.
“Initially it was deposited in the same account that her benefits were paid and she made no secret that she had received it,” she said.
“But it was later moved into a different savings account because it was her intention to retain that money for the benefit of her children. The money was from her grandparents saved over the course of their lifetime.”
She said Walker paid the money to her children and spent a lot on a family member diagnosed with cancer.
In a separate case, Kenneth Lyons, 52, of Duddon Place, Beacon Lough, Gateshead, admitted two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances and was fined £106 with £115 costs.
He fiddled £3,355 by failing to reveal he was working while claiming Carer’s Allowance.
Richard Graham, defending, said Lyons had a lot of problems including having his home firebombed.
He said he didn’t sign on and off because he worked intermittently.
Deborah Walker failed to declare the £87,000 she inherited from her grandparents so her benefit wouldn’t be cut.
And when her deception finally came to light, the 43-year-old lied to try and cover her tracks.
She told investigators from the Department of Work and Pensions the money belonged to a friend but was in her bank while he was separated from his wife, a court heard.
But in a second interview she came clean when presented with further evidence, Michael Baker, prosecuting told Gateshead magistrates.
He said: “She admitted that she didn’t inform Gateshead Council or the DWP about the inheritance. When asked why, she said she wanted the money which had been saved by her grandparents for her children and knew if she declared it her benefits would be affected.”
Walker was overpaid £23,710 Income Support, £7,960 housing benefit and £2,248 Council Tax benefit over three years between 2005 and 2008.
Walker admitted two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances and was given six weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 months supervised community order. She must also do 100 hours’ unpaid work and be subject to a 52-day electronic curfew.
Chairman of the bench Alistair Robson told her: “The aggravating features are that it is a large amount of money, over a long period of time and you did this intentionally.” Kate Barnes, defending, said Walker, who is of previous good character, started off by making a legitimate claim for Income Support and other benefits in 1991, then in 2005 received the inheritance.
She said initially she thought she didn’t need to declare the money.
“Initially it was deposited in the same account that her benefits were paid and she made no secret that she had received it,” she said.
“But it was later moved into a different savings account because it was her intention to retain that money for the benefit of her children. The money was from her grandparents saved over the course of their lifetime.”
She said Walker paid the money to her children and spent a lot on a family member diagnosed with cancer.
In a separate case, Kenneth Lyons, 52, of Duddon Place, Beacon Lough, Gateshead, admitted two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances and was fined £106 with £115 costs.
He fiddled £3,355 by failing to reveal he was working while claiming Carer’s Allowance.
Richard Graham, defending, said Lyons had a lot of problems including having his home firebombed.
He said he didn’t sign on and off because he worked intermittently.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
Benefit thieves should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
15 Sep 2010
DWP applauds jail sentence for £50k benefit fraud
Yes, it's possible to send mothers to prison.
A mother of four who fleeced the taxpayer out of £50,916 after claiming benefits to which she wasn't entitled has been jailed for six months.
Donna Gaskin, 37, failed to tell the DWP that her friend - who worked as a car salesman - had become her lover and continued to claim income support, housing and council tax benefit.
Sheffield Crown Court heard Gaskin was living with Thomas Penistone at his home in Woodthorpe, Sheffield, when she started claiming benefits in June 2002.
Initially, the pair were just friends but in October 2003 she registered the birth of their first daughter Ellie May Penistone.
Michael Rawlinson, prosecuting, said: "It's a condition of both of those claims that she inform the DWP of any change in circumstances. That includes whether she had a partner, whether that partner was in work and whether they were living as man and wife."
Mr Rawlinson said investigators had found an "abundance" of documentary evidence to support claims the couple were in a relationship. They included loan applications, bank accounts and credit card applications.
In August 2004 Mr Penistone had described his marital status as "co-habiting" on one application form and had named Gaskin as an additional credit card holder.
In September 2005 the couple Gaskin gave birth to twins and Mr Penistone was again registered as the father.
Then in 2007, the pair applied for a mortgage together.
Mr Rawlinson said: "The fact that the two were living together clearly constituted a change of circumstances that the defendant should have notified the DWP about."
He said Gaskin, of Ouse Road, Attercliffe, had claimed £33,401 in income support and £17,514 in housing and council tax benefit.
Philip Standfast, defending, said Gaskin did not use the money to live a lavish lifestyle. He said she lived with Mr Penistone but he had a gambling problem and was inclined to buy cars that he couldn't afford on finance. He added her youngest child was just a year old.
Sentencing her, Judge Robert Moore said: "For between three or four years you defrauded the benefits system of more than £50,000. Both the public and the Sentencing Guidelines Council expect that to be dealt with by custody."
A DWP spokeswoman said: "The case was raised after a tip-off to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline, with an allegation that Miss Gaskin had a partner living with her, Thomas Penistone, and he was in full-time work."
Vernon Sanderson, from the DWP, said: "This is a pleasing sentence because this is a serious amount of money and it reiterates the message that people who steal from the taxpayer can expect to go to prison."
A mother of four who fleeced the taxpayer out of £50,916 after claiming benefits to which she wasn't entitled has been jailed for six months.
Donna Gaskin, 37, failed to tell the DWP that her friend - who worked as a car salesman - had become her lover and continued to claim income support, housing and council tax benefit.
Sheffield Crown Court heard Gaskin was living with Thomas Penistone at his home in Woodthorpe, Sheffield, when she started claiming benefits in June 2002.
Initially, the pair were just friends but in October 2003 she registered the birth of their first daughter Ellie May Penistone.
Michael Rawlinson, prosecuting, said: "It's a condition of both of those claims that she inform the DWP of any change in circumstances. That includes whether she had a partner, whether that partner was in work and whether they were living as man and wife."
Mr Rawlinson said investigators had found an "abundance" of documentary evidence to support claims the couple were in a relationship. They included loan applications, bank accounts and credit card applications.
In August 2004 Mr Penistone had described his marital status as "co-habiting" on one application form and had named Gaskin as an additional credit card holder.
In September 2005 the couple Gaskin gave birth to twins and Mr Penistone was again registered as the father.
Then in 2007, the pair applied for a mortgage together.
Mr Rawlinson said: "The fact that the two were living together clearly constituted a change of circumstances that the defendant should have notified the DWP about."
He said Gaskin, of Ouse Road, Attercliffe, had claimed £33,401 in income support and £17,514 in housing and council tax benefit.
Philip Standfast, defending, said Gaskin did not use the money to live a lavish lifestyle. He said she lived with Mr Penistone but he had a gambling problem and was inclined to buy cars that he couldn't afford on finance. He added her youngest child was just a year old.
Sentencing her, Judge Robert Moore said: "For between three or four years you defrauded the benefits system of more than £50,000. Both the public and the Sentencing Guidelines Council expect that to be dealt with by custody."
A DWP spokeswoman said: "The case was raised after a tip-off to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline, with an allegation that Miss Gaskin had a partner living with her, Thomas Penistone, and he was in full-time work."
Vernon Sanderson, from the DWP, said: "This is a pleasing sentence because this is a serious amount of money and it reiterates the message that people who steal from the taxpayer can expect to go to prison."
14 Sep 2010
Hidden housing benefit fraud
Sometimes people from the front line look in and give examples of hidden benefit fraud which doesn't show up in the official lowball estimates. Here's another welcome contributor:
I manage over 1000 temporary accommodation units for various local councils. The most common fraud I encounter is where a family are housed in temporary accommodation and the husband or partner is not put on the tenancy. The result is the mother can claim full HB and the male can work but does not have to contribute to the rent. Its a hidden fraud but widespread. As we visit all our properties 6 times a year, we "encounter" the absent fathers, or "uncle" as they are termed.
13 Sep 2010
£85k benefit fraud couple get off lightly
We've probably all read about the couple who defrauded the benefits system of £85,000 while owning four homes. If you haven't, the gruesome details are in the Express report.
The kindly judge said the crime was serious enough for imprisonment - but hey they had children so she was suspending their sentences. They were also ordered to carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work, with Emily Morris ordered to attend 25 days of education and employment training.
The Taxpayers' Alliance rightly attacked this pathetic sentence handed down by Judge Alice Robinson:
Havering Council say they will (my italics) be pursuing the couple's assets through the courts. They were in court to be sentenced. That same court should have been able to make a confiscation order.
The kindly judge said the crime was serious enough for imprisonment - but hey they had children so she was suspending their sentences. They were also ordered to carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work, with Emily Morris ordered to attend 25 days of education and employment training.
The Taxpayers' Alliance rightly attacked this pathetic sentence handed down by Judge Alice Robinson:
They should have received a much harsher sentence. Only by cracking down on and punishing benefits cheats can we discourage other fraudsters.The message of the sentence is that parents can get away with it.
Havering Council say they will (my italics) be pursuing the couple's assets through the courts. They were in court to be sentenced. That same court should have been able to make a confiscation order.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
Benefit thieves should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
11 Sep 2010
That Japanese pensions fraud story
I passed on yesterday a request for input on UK pension fraud.
The journalist referred to such cases in Japan. Here's a report on the Japanese scandal.
The journalist referred to such cases in Japan. Here's a report on the Japanese scandal.
10 Sep 2010
Appeal for input on pension fraud
A request for information from a visitor.
Have you yourself ever heard anything about pension fraud? I read about a case in 1997 of a Mary Walker from Liverpool who had claimed her dead mother's pension for 17 years, and then again in 2003, Mary Grant was convicted of stealing more than £21,000 from the state and private pensions of an aunt. Have you heard of these cases or any similar?
PENSION FRAUD??
Producers of a serious news report about pension fraud for Japanese TV are interested in talking to anyone who knows anything about families continuing to claim pension after claimant has passed away.
It is emerging that there have been many such cases in Japan, but the Department of Work and Pensions claim there is no recorded fraud for the retirement pension here in UK. We would love to hear from anyone who knows different! Of course confidentiality will be completely respected.
Please contact Amy or Jason.
More single person frauds
A six-month suspended prison sentence has been handed down to a benefits cheat after she admitted pocketing nearly £17,000 in false claims.
Josephine Schofield, from Netherfield, pleaded guilty to claiming income support and housing benefit as a single person, when she had, in fact, been living with her husband since June 2007.
Schofield, 54, also admitted she failed to declare two periods of work and provided a tenancy agreement in support of her application which was not a genuine document.
As well as the suspended sentence, Hastings magistrates ordered Schofield to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and awarded £75 costs.
"Schofield is repaying the housing benefit overpayment by instalments."
Separately, a woman from Fallowfield has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud after dishonestly obtaining more than £17,000.
31-year old Michelle Cleere was charged with fraudulently obtaining Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support between April 2008 and November 2009 after failing to declare she was living with her partner.
The city council's counter fraud officers, working together with colleagues from the DWP, uncovered the offences following a data matching exercise designed to detect fraudulent and incorrect payment of benefit.
Richard Paver, City Treasurer, said, "in addition to the penalties handed down by the courts we shall use all methods at our disposal to vigorously recover the money this woman fraudulently obtained". No court order then.
Josephine Schofield, from Netherfield, pleaded guilty to claiming income support and housing benefit as a single person, when she had, in fact, been living with her husband since June 2007.
Schofield, 54, also admitted she failed to declare two periods of work and provided a tenancy agreement in support of her application which was not a genuine document.
As well as the suspended sentence, Hastings magistrates ordered Schofield to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and awarded £75 costs.
"Schofield is repaying the housing benefit overpayment by instalments."
Separately, a woman from Fallowfield has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud after dishonestly obtaining more than £17,000.
31-year old Michelle Cleere was charged with fraudulently obtaining Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support between April 2008 and November 2009 after failing to declare she was living with her partner.
The city council's counter fraud officers, working together with colleagues from the DWP, uncovered the offences following a data matching exercise designed to detect fraudulent and incorrect payment of benefit.
Richard Paver, City Treasurer, said, "in addition to the penalties handed down by the courts we shall use all methods at our disposal to vigorously recover the money this woman fraudulently obtained". No court order then.
9 Sep 2010
Single person discount reviews
Reported recently in Wirral, Cheshire West and Chester, and (with waffle) in Wokingham.
What these reports miss is any indication of the proportion of residents in each place claiming the discount. South Derbyshire (also announcing a review) does tell us that
Without the (simple) key numbers, the public can't hold councils to account on this in any meaningful way.
How convenient!
What these reports miss is any indication of the proportion of residents in each place claiming the discount. South Derbyshire (also announcing a review) does tell us that
On average, six per cent of those claiming the discount – the equivalent of around 700 people in South Derbyshire – are not entitled to it.But every council should be doing a review. Presumably the most cost effective methods are discussed at these expensive conferences we read about, doubtless with the aid of the management figures denied to the general public.
Without the (simple) key numbers, the public can't hold councils to account on this in any meaningful way.
How convenient!
8 Sep 2010
Councils report fraud savings
Benefit fraudsters have conned Blackburn with Darwen council out of almost £1million in the past two years, it has been revealed.
There were 717 cases, costing the authority a total of £918,349, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Bosses said they tried to recover the money lost ‘in every case’, with 65 prosecutions, 105 financial penalties given out and 122 people formally cautioned.
The council would not release specific information about cases.
It said most of the scams were spotted either by benefits staff or by cross-referencing with other public services and Government departments.
Bromley meanwhile say a recent National Fraud Initiative exercise that involved cross-checking information between public authorities has resulted in them identifying £598,276 in fraud and errors.
Of interest to us is that:
There were 717 cases, costing the authority a total of £918,349, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Bosses said they tried to recover the money lost ‘in every case’, with 65 prosecutions, 105 financial penalties given out and 122 people formally cautioned.
The council would not release specific information about cases.
It said most of the scams were spotted either by benefits staff or by cross-referencing with other public services and Government departments.
Bromley meanwhile say a recent National Fraud Initiative exercise that involved cross-checking information between public authorities has resulted in them identifying £598,276 in fraud and errors.
Of interest to us is that:
- £257,336 was wrongly claimed in council tax and housing benefits. Bromley say the claimants concerned will be prosecuted, cautioned and pay penalties in addition to repaying the money to the Council.
- £243,477 was wrongly claimed in 25% discounts for a single person household. Council tax discounts will be clawed back from 743 Bromley residents who do not live on their own. No mention of penalties here, though.
- Bromley has stopped a massive 866 blue badges for clients who are deceased and a further 91 cases of concessionary travel passes.
7 Sep 2010
No immediate prison for £45k benefit thief
A £45,000 benefit scrounger has been told by a judge to get a job and start paying back the money.
Graham Midgley, 47, was given a six-month chance to stay out of jail at Bradford Crown Court last Thursday.
Midgley, from Keighley, cheated the taxpayer out of £45,420 over five years.
He dishonestly claimed £23,982 in Housing Benefit, £14,520 in Income Support, £3,488 in Jobseekers Allowance and £3,430 in Council Tax Benefit between September, 2002, and October, 2007.
Midgley pleaded guilty to four “roll-up” charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances, making false representations and making false statements.
Prosecutor Stephen Grattage told the magistrates the claims were honest to begin with but Midgley, who was a lone parent with dependent children, failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions when his wife, Patricia, had moved back to the family home in Alder Avenue, Keighley.
Mr Grattage said Mrs Midgley, who refused to be interviewed by benefit officers, was working.
Midgley’s barrister Kitty Taylor said he had the offer of work and could start to repay money owed.
The judge, Recorder Paul Isaacs, deferred sentence for six months. He said: “You’ve told me you are going to get a job. Let’s see if you do.”
He told Midgley that if he began work and stayed out of trouble he would not go to prison.
Graham Midgley, 47, was given a six-month chance to stay out of jail at Bradford Crown Court last Thursday.
Midgley, from Keighley, cheated the taxpayer out of £45,420 over five years.
He dishonestly claimed £23,982 in Housing Benefit, £14,520 in Income Support, £3,488 in Jobseekers Allowance and £3,430 in Council Tax Benefit between September, 2002, and October, 2007.
Midgley pleaded guilty to four “roll-up” charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances, making false representations and making false statements.
Prosecutor Stephen Grattage told the magistrates the claims were honest to begin with but Midgley, who was a lone parent with dependent children, failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions when his wife, Patricia, had moved back to the family home in Alder Avenue, Keighley.
Mr Grattage said Mrs Midgley, who refused to be interviewed by benefit officers, was working.
Midgley’s barrister Kitty Taylor said he had the offer of work and could start to repay money owed.
The judge, Recorder Paul Isaacs, deferred sentence for six months. He said: “You’ve told me you are going to get a job. Let’s see if you do.”
He told Midgley that if he began work and stayed out of trouble he would not go to prison.
6 Sep 2010
Getting the money back
North Ayrshire Council’s benefit fraud team have been named as one of the top three in the UK.
The anti-fraud team have reached the final of the prestigious Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation Awards as Scotland’s sole representative.
Since 2003/04 the team have secured more than £2.1m in repayments of benefits with the number of successful cases brought against fraudsters increasing every year since 2003.
The six-strong team were chosen as finalists at the finals to be held in Harrogate at the end of September because of their strengths in a number of areas including performance, training, administration and investigations.
Meanwhile, Liverpool City Council has hailed a crackdown on people fraudulently claiming the single person discount on their tax bill, claiming it has generated at least £150,000 in extra income.
The local authority recently instigated a series of checks, including cross-referencing of credit details, and sent letters to homes suspected of having more than one occupant. This saw more than 600 people cancel their discount.
Liverpool said a further 3,000 cases are under review, with a potential to generate at least £50,000 in extra income.
Cllr Paul Brant, deputy leader of the council, said he made “no apology for taking a hard line on people who try and cheat as they are stealing from other residents and drawing valuable resources away from frontline services such as teaching, social work, street cleansing and protecting the vulnerable”.
Brant added that the council had instructed Liverpool Direct, which runs its revenues and benefits department, to use “every available measure” to make sure the authority gets the monies it is owed.
He said: “In today's tough times we have to drive down costs and be more efficient so we can continue to provide essential services.”
The anti-fraud team have reached the final of the prestigious Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation Awards as Scotland’s sole representative.
Since 2003/04 the team have secured more than £2.1m in repayments of benefits with the number of successful cases brought against fraudsters increasing every year since 2003.
The six-strong team were chosen as finalists at the finals to be held in Harrogate at the end of September because of their strengths in a number of areas including performance, training, administration and investigations.
Meanwhile, Liverpool City Council has hailed a crackdown on people fraudulently claiming the single person discount on their tax bill, claiming it has generated at least £150,000 in extra income.
The local authority recently instigated a series of checks, including cross-referencing of credit details, and sent letters to homes suspected of having more than one occupant. This saw more than 600 people cancel their discount.
Liverpool said a further 3,000 cases are under review, with a potential to generate at least £50,000 in extra income.
Cllr Paul Brant, deputy leader of the council, said he made “no apology for taking a hard line on people who try and cheat as they are stealing from other residents and drawing valuable resources away from frontline services such as teaching, social work, street cleansing and protecting the vulnerable”.
Brant added that the council had instructed Liverpool Direct, which runs its revenues and benefits department, to use “every available measure” to make sure the authority gets the monies it is owed.
He said: “In today's tough times we have to drive down costs and be more efficient so we can continue to provide essential services.”
3 Sep 2010
Hands off benefit fraud
Benefit fraud must be left untouched and be allowed to continue. That's the message from Peter Beresford at commentisfree.
The coalition, he says, "does not seem to have learned lessons the folly (sic) of vicious attacks on welfare claimants recognised well over a century ago by the Victorian Poor Law, the modern byword for cruel and vindictive welfare regimes".
There's more such blinkered stuff in a post which will admit of no shades of grey.
Peter Beresford is professor of social policy at Brunel University. Not a neutral academic, a crudely one sided propagandist.
The coalition, he says, "does not seem to have learned lessons the folly (sic) of vicious attacks on welfare claimants recognised well over a century ago by the Victorian Poor Law, the modern byword for cruel and vindictive welfare regimes".
There's more such blinkered stuff in a post which will admit of no shades of grey.
Peter Beresford is professor of social policy at Brunel University. Not a neutral academic, a crudely one sided propagandist.
Community service for benefit assets fraud
A benefit cheat who lied about having £40,000 in savings to falsely claim more than £6,000 has avoided prison.
Martin Ware-Lane, from Gravesend, was sentenced to 250 hours community service after admitting three counts of benefit fraud.
The court heard the 54-year-old failed to tell the authorities he had the money saved and claimed £4,506 in housing benefit, £1,129 in council tax benefit and £731 in job seekers allowance.
Ware-Lane has already paid back the falsely claimed housing benefit and will re-pay the council tax benefit and job seekers allowance in monthly installments.
Martin Ware-Lane, from Gravesend, was sentenced to 250 hours community service after admitting three counts of benefit fraud.
The court heard the 54-year-old failed to tell the authorities he had the money saved and claimed £4,506 in housing benefit, £1,129 in council tax benefit and £731 in job seekers allowance.
Ware-Lane has already paid back the falsely claimed housing benefit and will re-pay the council tax benefit and job seekers allowance in monthly installments.
Benefits thief said he was disabled
A lying Liverpool children’s entertainer and Commonwealth gymnastics champion who pocketed thousands of pounds after insisting he could hardly walk was caught out red-handed on camera.
Well-known David Simpson cheated the system by claiming up to £34,000 over a 17-year period.
For nearly two decades, he pretended he was a virtual invalid and amassed a small fortune.
The performer went under the alias of Wavey Davey and was a household name in the city for youngsters’ parties.
Once a supple sporting star, Wavey Davey also bagged a silver medal in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games after the Edinburgh event was boycotted in 1986 because of apartheid.
But by the early 1990s, the 45-year-old had claimed his mobility was so bad he could only walk 20 yards over a few minutes.
He insisted that a road traffic accident had left him with injuries that meant it was extremely difficult to get around.
But Simpson’s swindle was exposed after he was secretly filmed exercising as a city council gym instructor.
Unbeknown to him, Wavey Davey was also recorded while he performed at children’s parties where he specialised in juggling and balloon making.
He will be sentenced next month.
More
Well-known David Simpson cheated the system by claiming up to £34,000 over a 17-year period.
For nearly two decades, he pretended he was a virtual invalid and amassed a small fortune.
The performer went under the alias of Wavey Davey and was a household name in the city for youngsters’ parties.
Once a supple sporting star, Wavey Davey also bagged a silver medal in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games after the Edinburgh event was boycotted in 1986 because of apartheid.
But by the early 1990s, the 45-year-old had claimed his mobility was so bad he could only walk 20 yards over a few minutes.
He insisted that a road traffic accident had left him with injuries that meant it was extremely difficult to get around.
But Simpson’s swindle was exposed after he was secretly filmed exercising as a city council gym instructor.
Unbeknown to him, Wavey Davey was also recorded while he performed at children’s parties where he specialised in juggling and balloon making.
He will be sentenced next month.
More
Benefit fraud couple jailed
See, it is possible to jail benefit thieves who are bringing up children.
A couple who committed nearly £73,000-worth of benefit fraud to help bring up the woman's two grandsons have been jailed at Plymouth Crown Court.
Jean Swift and her partner John Lawrence, of the same address, were both sent to prison for 10 months after the judge said he would send out the wrong message if he didn't.
James Taghdissian, prosecuting for the Department of Work and Pensions, said Swift and Lawrence had been in a relationship for some time.
In 1999, Swift applied for income support, stating she was a single parent looking after her grandchildren.
She filled in further forms in 2000 and 2002 , but failed to declare she was living with Lawrence, a situation which continued until she was caught in 2008 after a tip-off. (What took so long?)
Computer records before 2001 were lost, but between 2001 and 2008 Swift received £44,980.78 in income supplement which she was not entitled to.
In October 2001, she applied for housing and council tax benefit, netting a further £23,724.24, the total fraud being £72,947.64.
Swift initially denied but finally admitted fraud and Lawrence admitting aiding and abetting her.
Both told investigators they were in financial difficulties, and it was accepted they were not living a luxurious lifestyle.
Mr Taghdissian said Swift, 58, was now in work and repaying the money at £100 a month, having repaid £1,850 in two years.
The judge, Mr Recorder Alun Jenkins QC, said: "So as long as she lives another 70 years, the State will get its money back?"
Edward Bailey, for Swift, said she had known Lawrence for 25 years and he had stayed with her since 1997, though they did not live as man and wife.
Swift brought up her daughter's two sons, now teenagers, and looked after her son's daughter for most of the week.
She did not smoke or drink, and most of the money had gone on bringing up the children.
She had undergone treatment for cervical cancer, the court heard.
Mr Bailey claimed there was "a severe risk" the boys would have to go into care if Swift was jailed.
Jason Beal for Lawrence, said he left the Royal Navy at 45 in 1997 and founded a night club in Union Street.
However, after two years the venture collapsed and in 2008 he was made bankrupt.
He helped care for the children as a grandfather because no one else was there for them, he said.
Mr Recorder Jenkins told Swift and Lawrence: "You are both decent, law-abiding people who found it easy to supplement your income and justified it as being not really dishonest because you were bringing up young children.
"You thought it was an easy way out to run a fraud on the State.
"Benefit fraud is criminal, and I must demonstrate to everyone that this was a fraud on your fellow-taxpayers — the ordinary man next door paying his taxes.
"You have to go to prison."
A couple who committed nearly £73,000-worth of benefit fraud to help bring up the woman's two grandsons have been jailed at Plymouth Crown Court.
Jean Swift and her partner John Lawrence, of the same address, were both sent to prison for 10 months after the judge said he would send out the wrong message if he didn't.
James Taghdissian, prosecuting for the Department of Work and Pensions, said Swift and Lawrence had been in a relationship for some time.
In 1999, Swift applied for income support, stating she was a single parent looking after her grandchildren.
She filled in further forms in 2000 and 2002 , but failed to declare she was living with Lawrence, a situation which continued until she was caught in 2008 after a tip-off. (What took so long?)
Computer records before 2001 were lost, but between 2001 and 2008 Swift received £44,980.78 in income supplement which she was not entitled to.
In October 2001, she applied for housing and council tax benefit, netting a further £23,724.24, the total fraud being £72,947.64.
Swift initially denied but finally admitted fraud and Lawrence admitting aiding and abetting her.
Both told investigators they were in financial difficulties, and it was accepted they were not living a luxurious lifestyle.
Mr Taghdissian said Swift, 58, was now in work and repaying the money at £100 a month, having repaid £1,850 in two years.
The judge, Mr Recorder Alun Jenkins QC, said: "So as long as she lives another 70 years, the State will get its money back?"
Edward Bailey, for Swift, said she had known Lawrence for 25 years and he had stayed with her since 1997, though they did not live as man and wife.
Swift brought up her daughter's two sons, now teenagers, and looked after her son's daughter for most of the week.
She did not smoke or drink, and most of the money had gone on bringing up the children.
She had undergone treatment for cervical cancer, the court heard.
Mr Bailey claimed there was "a severe risk" the boys would have to go into care if Swift was jailed.
Jason Beal for Lawrence, said he left the Royal Navy at 45 in 1997 and founded a night club in Union Street.
However, after two years the venture collapsed and in 2008 he was made bankrupt.
He helped care for the children as a grandfather because no one else was there for them, he said.
Mr Recorder Jenkins told Swift and Lawrence: "You are both decent, law-abiding people who found it easy to supplement your income and justified it as being not really dishonest because you were bringing up young children.
"You thought it was an easy way out to run a fraud on the State.
"Benefit fraud is criminal, and I must demonstrate to everyone that this was a fraud on your fellow-taxpayers — the ordinary man next door paying his taxes.
"You have to go to prison."
2 Sep 2010
On single person frauds
A commenter puts it well
It's easy because the D.W.P. simply pay out income support to anyone "single parent" who wants it. They then continue to have children and see their benefits increase. Very few questions or checks appear to be done.So heads you win; if you're very unlucky and you get caught ... tails - well, you scarcely lose.
A woman with young kids will not get a prison sentence; she'll continue to get benefits with a small deduction towards the overpayment.
1 Sep 2010
Another single person fraud - and a light sentence
A scrounging woman who pocketed £75,000 in benefits by claiming that she was a penniless single mother while living with the father of her three children has provoked fury after she escaped a jail sentence, says The Express.
Workshy Cheryl Laughton conned the system by telling the authorities Peter Mirza, her long-term partner and the father of her three children, was her landlord.
When she started claiming benefits in 1996 she said she had no idea who had fathered her eldest child, then aged two.
She made the same claim when she had another child with Mr Mirza in 2003, allowing her to rake-in handouts of up to £24,500 every year until Benefits Agency fraudbusters finally received an anonymous tip-off in 2008.
The couple’s oldest child is now 16 but investigators say their limited computer system allowed them to uncover fraud only for a three-year period from 2005 until 2008. That amounted to almost £75,000 in fake payouts at the taxpayers’ expense. But with the extra nine more years of benefits claims, fraud investigators say Laughton has fiddled more than £200,000 from the taxpayer.
Prosecutor Susan Hurst told Newcastle Crown Court that despite further suspicions it was possible to prove fraudulent claims had been made only between February 11, 2005 and March 31, 2008.
During that time, Laughton received £20,973 in housing benefit and £3,353 in council tax benefit, which gave rise to the three offences which she admitted.
Records also confirmed she had more than £51,000 in income support from the DWP.
Tom Moran, defending, told the court Laughton had made arrangements for her three children, the youngest of whom is three months old, to be looked after if she were sent to prison.
But Judge Brian Forster QC gave her a 12-week term, suspended for 12 months. Because of her lack of income, he said he was unable to award Newcastle City Council any of their £4,301 costs – putting a further burden on the public purse.
The court heard Laughton’s long-term partner worked full-time as a taxi driver while she stayed at home pocketing extra cash courtesy of taxpayers. That allowed them to live a life way beyond their normal means.
But Laughton was able to walk free from court because of a DWP decision not to prosecute her over fake income support claims which accounted for the bulk of her fraud. Instead they plan civil action to force her to repay £51,000.
However, experts say a criminal prosecution would not have stopped them pursuing action to recover money in the civil courts. The controversial decision prompted anger from Emma Boon of the TaxPayers’ Alliance. She said: “Benefit fraud like that committed by Cheryl Laughton costs the public purse millions of pounds each year. It is too easy for people like Laughton to scam the system and there needs to be harsher punishments to act as a deterrent to others.
“But the Government needs to be bold and overhaul the whole welfare system so it is simpler, there are more incentives to work and it doesn’t pay to cheat.”
A neighbour of Laughton, in Benwell, Newcastle, who did not want to be named said: “She has played the system for years and everyone knew it, but then it’s so easy lots of people are at it.
“Her chap drives a taxi and works quite hard but everybody knows they are a couple. It’s incredible she got away with it for so long but we all thought she’d end up in prison. It’s a real let-off.”
Ms Hurst told Newcastle Crown Court on Friday that Laughton had claimed housing and council-tax benefit on the basis of being a single parent since 1996 and had repeatedly completed declaration forms insisting she lived alone.
When investigators quizzed her over her relationship with Mr Mirza she said the landlord had become her friend but nothing more. But officials found evidence that he was the father of all her children after raiding their home.
After further probes she changed her story and told investigators the father was one of Mr Mirza’s cousins, who had moved to Pakistan But investigators unearthed passport applications naming Mr Mirza as the father, electoral roll records and his taxi-licence paperwork.
The couple had also contacted police when one of the children disappeared and told officers they were mother and father. Undercover fraudbusters watching the couple’s home saw his cab repeatedly parked on the front drive.
A spokesman for the DWP wouldn't comment on the specific case but insisted they take benefit fraud extremely seriously.
She added: '' It costs us £1.5bn each year and takes money that is needed to maintain vital services for the whole country. We are committed to stopping benefit fraud by catching cheats at the front line and are exploring new methods of detection. Nobody should think they can get away with it.''
But they can.
Workshy Cheryl Laughton conned the system by telling the authorities Peter Mirza, her long-term partner and the father of her three children, was her landlord.
When she started claiming benefits in 1996 she said she had no idea who had fathered her eldest child, then aged two.
She made the same claim when she had another child with Mr Mirza in 2003, allowing her to rake-in handouts of up to £24,500 every year until Benefits Agency fraudbusters finally received an anonymous tip-off in 2008.
The couple’s oldest child is now 16 but investigators say their limited computer system allowed them to uncover fraud only for a three-year period from 2005 until 2008. That amounted to almost £75,000 in fake payouts at the taxpayers’ expense. But with the extra nine more years of benefits claims, fraud investigators say Laughton has fiddled more than £200,000 from the taxpayer.
Prosecutor Susan Hurst told Newcastle Crown Court that despite further suspicions it was possible to prove fraudulent claims had been made only between February 11, 2005 and March 31, 2008.
During that time, Laughton received £20,973 in housing benefit and £3,353 in council tax benefit, which gave rise to the three offences which she admitted.
Records also confirmed she had more than £51,000 in income support from the DWP.
Tom Moran, defending, told the court Laughton had made arrangements for her three children, the youngest of whom is three months old, to be looked after if she were sent to prison.
But Judge Brian Forster QC gave her a 12-week term, suspended for 12 months. Because of her lack of income, he said he was unable to award Newcastle City Council any of their £4,301 costs – putting a further burden on the public purse.
The court heard Laughton’s long-term partner worked full-time as a taxi driver while she stayed at home pocketing extra cash courtesy of taxpayers. That allowed them to live a life way beyond their normal means.
But Laughton was able to walk free from court because of a DWP decision not to prosecute her over fake income support claims which accounted for the bulk of her fraud. Instead they plan civil action to force her to repay £51,000.
However, experts say a criminal prosecution would not have stopped them pursuing action to recover money in the civil courts. The controversial decision prompted anger from Emma Boon of the TaxPayers’ Alliance. She said: “Benefit fraud like that committed by Cheryl Laughton costs the public purse millions of pounds each year. It is too easy for people like Laughton to scam the system and there needs to be harsher punishments to act as a deterrent to others.
“But the Government needs to be bold and overhaul the whole welfare system so it is simpler, there are more incentives to work and it doesn’t pay to cheat.”
A neighbour of Laughton, in Benwell, Newcastle, who did not want to be named said: “She has played the system for years and everyone knew it, but then it’s so easy lots of people are at it.
“Her chap drives a taxi and works quite hard but everybody knows they are a couple. It’s incredible she got away with it for so long but we all thought she’d end up in prison. It’s a real let-off.”
Ms Hurst told Newcastle Crown Court on Friday that Laughton had claimed housing and council-tax benefit on the basis of being a single parent since 1996 and had repeatedly completed declaration forms insisting she lived alone.
When investigators quizzed her over her relationship with Mr Mirza she said the landlord had become her friend but nothing more. But officials found evidence that he was the father of all her children after raiding their home.
After further probes she changed her story and told investigators the father was one of Mr Mirza’s cousins, who had moved to Pakistan But investigators unearthed passport applications naming Mr Mirza as the father, electoral roll records and his taxi-licence paperwork.
The couple had also contacted police when one of the children disappeared and told officers they were mother and father. Undercover fraudbusters watching the couple’s home saw his cab repeatedly parked on the front drive.
A spokesman for the DWP wouldn't comment on the specific case but insisted they take benefit fraud extremely seriously.
She added: '' It costs us £1.5bn each year and takes money that is needed to maintain vital services for the whole country. We are committed to stopping benefit fraud by catching cheats at the front line and are exploring new methods of detection. Nobody should think they can get away with it.''
But they can.
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