A Wirral benefits claimant took the DWP for £51,000 so that she could pay for her cocaine addiction and rent to her landlord, who turned out to be her husband.

The 38 year old woman between 2006 and 2012, received benefits for such things as rent, council tax and for a single person's Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support as apparently she was a single parent. 

Eventually the council found out that the woman was in fact living with her long term partner and that they had married in July 2011.

At Liverpool Crown Court the woman pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud and had also admitted that her claims were dishonest from 2006. All the benefits paid for her extravagant cocaine habit and lifestyle.

The Council uncovered the true facts when the husband informed the DWP that he would be moving into the home. The council's investigation  team uncovered so many apparent "coincicidences" linking the two together, his work records, credit cards and utility bills, all gave his address at her home address. They also found out from school records that he was the child's stepfather.

Brian Treadwell, prosecuting, said: “During an interview she denied there had been a continuing relationship. She said the relationship commenced only about a month or so before he moved into the home address.

"Employment records were also obtained for Mr Hodson and confirmed his residence at the address was from 2005.”

The team in a second interview with the woman, gained an admittance that she had lied about their long term relationship.

The barrister representing the woman, said: “She certainly was the prime mover as far as the evidence was concerned. Her second interview was in October 2013 so she has known more or less since that date that she was going to be prosecuted.”

However this wasn't the first time that she had filed false claims because in 2004 she received a conviction for doing just that.

The judge, Recorder Guy Mathieson, jailed the woman for ten months, said: “It is not for the public to fund your drug habit

 

“It can’t be said you were naive or innocent in going into the fraud I am to sentence you for.

“You knew the consequences of defrauding the benefits agency. You took a very calculated gamble in applying for fake benefits this time.

“You knew the consequences but you felt you could get away with it.”