Crime Solicitors

A woman who falsely claimed £36,000 in benefits as a single claimant when she was living with her partner and enjoying luxury holidays abroad, has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay £2,300 in costs.

The Mirror reports that grandmother Cheryl Brooks, 45, failed to declare she was living with a civil partner – who became Mrs Brooks – and also failed to declare four out of five bank accounts she held, some jointly with her partner.

Ms Brooks’ deception was uncovered when benefit fraud investigators found images of her and her wife on holiday in exotic locations – including an image of her stroking a leopard in Thailand taken earlier in 2015.

Brooks lived on disability support allowance, after she quit her job as a taxi driver in 2009.

She and her partner, Margaret Brierley – who is currently receiving sick pay from the minicab firm she works for – posted holiday snaps on social media of trips to Palma Nova in Spain, two excursions to Australia, America, India and Thailand.

Brooks was seen online on elephant rides, feeding koala bears, stroking a leopard, posing at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, signing her name at Elvis Presley’s Graceland home – and singing karaoke in India.

Although Margaret Brierley had become her civil partner and had moved in with her, Brooks maintained that she was living alone on three separate benefit claims forms – despite her partner continuing to work as a taxi driver for a while.

Over a three-year period, the couple the couple received £36,166.81 in overpaid benefits, the court heard.

At Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Brooks – of Stalybridge in Greater Manchester – admitting failing to declare a change in circumstances.

The prosecuting – on behalf of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council – told the court:

“This represented a lavish lifestyle beyond the means of a person who was single with dependent children, whose sole income was State benefits.”

In mitigation for Brooks – who has no previous convictions – her defence lawyer said that she had “always accepted her misconduct”.

Sentencing Brooks, Judge Stuart Driver QC said:

“I don’t believe everything you said to probation – I think you had a good lifestyle out of that and funded luxurious foreign travel.

“You had a number of bank accounts – and although it wasn’t fraud from the start, it quickly became so.

“You have health problems and I give you full credit for your plea.”

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis can advise at any stage of a charge for benefit fraud – and can attend interview under caution with the Department for Work and Pensions or council benefit fraud investigators.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors.

For expert legal advice on all benefit fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 020 7923 4020.