Croydon Crown Court has sentenced a woman who abused her two children in order to claim a record amount of benefits fraudulently to seven-and-a-half years in prison.
The unnamed 49-year-old was found guilty of subjecting her two children to unnecessary and invasive medical treatment, by making false claims about their health so she could claim benefits.
She was convicted of four counts of cruelty to a person under 16, two counts of obtaining money transfer by deception, seven counts of making a false representation – and two counts of fraud by false representation.
The woman claimed a record amount for benefit fraud, estimated at £375,198.02 over a ten-year period.
The court heard that both children underwent unnecessary surgery as a result of their mother’s claims about their health.
Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, Malcolm McHaffie, said:
“The prosecution's case was that the defendant's actions in exposing and subjecting her children to unnecessary and invasive operations and excessive medication were motivated by dishonesty and greed.
“As a result of her extraordinary cruelty, this individual is now going to spend a significant amount of time in prison.
“In total, over a period of at least ten years, she successfully claimed £375,198.02 in Disability Living Allowance and Income Support benefit.
“That a mother should go to such lengths of child cruelty – spanning at least ten years – to support the false and exaggerated benefits claims that she made is beyond comprehension.
“The thorough three-year police investigation by the MPS laid the strong foundations for this successful prosecution – which demonstrates our commitment to work together to tackle instances of child cruelty and benefit fraud in London.”
Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors
Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud, including fraud involving:
• Bedroom tax
• Blue Badge fraud
• Child Tax Credits
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credits
• PIP
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credits.
Duncan Lewis can advise at the start of an investigation, including attending interviews with the DWP and local authority fraud teams.
For expert legal advice on benefit fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 0333 772 0409.