Legal News

A woman secretly buried the body of her disabled husband and carried on claiming benefits for him.

Rebekah Sturdey, 56, hid her disabled husband Geoffrey’s body on their farm at Beth Berith near Tregaron in mid Wales after he died suddenly aged 60 some time in or after October 2008. Mr Sturdey farmed a 20-acre smallholding with his Iranian-born wife, who employed a carer to help after he became disabled.

Mr Sturdey’s full-time carer, Boqer-Ore Adie, and two other women also lived at the smallholding.

Mrs Sturdey claimed a total of £70,000 in benefits until the deception was discovered in 2012.

Police found the body of Mr Sturdey after officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) became concerned about Mr Sturdey’s welfare in 2012.

At Swansea Crown Court Mrs Sturdey pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful and decent burial of her husband and may receive a prison sentence.

The carer who helped look after Mr Sturdey – Boqer-Ore Adie, 43 – also admitted the charge, along with her friend Carmel Adie, 24.

The prosecution accepted a plea of not guilty by Boqer-Ore Adie’s 20-year-old daughter Hazel Adie and she was discharged.

Mrs Sturdey and Boqer-Ore Adie pleaded guilty to fraud by failing to advise the authorities they were in receipt of disability and pension allowances in Geoffrey Sturdey’s name. Both women were remanded in custody, while Carmel Adie was released on bail.

They are due to be sentenced later in December.

Legal advice on benefit fraud

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of benefit fraud solicitors and can advise on charges relating to benefit fraud.

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can also offer representation for benefit fraud interviews under caution.

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise those who are unemployed, on low incomes or disabled – and Duncan Lewis is also a leading Legal Aid firm.

For advice on benefit fraud, Contact Duncan Lewis benefit fraud lawyers on 020 7923 4020.