Crime Solicitors

A single mother who fraudulently claimed more than £108,000 in welfare benefits has avoided a prison sentence because of her children, the South Wales Evening Post reports.

However, her husband – whom she claimed she was estranged from – was jailed for 15 months, despite telling the court that he had “walked out” of his wedding reception in 2000 and had not seen his wife for two weeks after the reception.

Thomas Jones, 52, also claimed that they had not lived together as a couple until 2011.

However, Swansea Crown Court heard that Mr Jones had his wages sent to his wife’s address in Landore, Swansea – and they had also a joint bank account, with Mr Jones paying the bills and the TV licence at the address.

Mr Jones had lost his job with Royal Mail after stealing mail from his place of work, the court heard. He had been given a four-month suspended sentence as a result of the offence.

Lesley Isobel Jones, 50 – of the same address – had claimed benefits as a single mother-of-five for 10 years.

Judge Keith Thomas told her that the only reason he had given her a 15-month suspended sentence was because of her five children. Judge Thomas also ordered that she carry out 300 hours of unpaid community service.

The court heard that Mrs Jones took frequent holidays with her family to Turkey, Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt and Spain while she was claiming income support, council tax relief, employment support and tax credits as a single mother.

The family also had a luxury family caravan sited at a seaside caravan park costing £27,000 – and Mrs Jones drove a BMW with a personalised number plate.

The court heard that during one period of claiming benefits totalling more than £79,000, Mrs Jones spent in excess of £190,000.

The court also heard that, because Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) records only date back as far as 2002 and she had been claiming benefits since 1996, it was possible she had received more benefits for this period than she was entitled to. Had Mrs Jones been working during the period of her claim, she might have been entitled to £50,000 in tax credits, the court was told.

Judge Thomas told the couple:

“You worked together to hide the fact he was working and you were married and living as a couple. Each of you knew what the other was doing.

”It is a serious offence – benefits are there for people who genuinely need them,” said Judge Thomas.

After appearing in court, the couple tried to hide their identity, with Mr Jones wearing a mask and Mrs Jones pulling her clothing over her face to avoid being photographed.

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise claimants at any stage of a charge for benefit fraud, including fraud charges involving Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, Tax Credits, Pension Credits, Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Bedroom Tax, Income Support, Employment Support, Council Tax Relief and Disability Benefits.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud charges and representation, contact Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 020 7923 4020.