Crime Solicitors

A 37-year-old woman who falsely claimed £30,000 in benefits by saying she was a single mother has been told by a judge that she could face a jail term for the fraud.

Denise Lonie from Dundee claimed that she lived alone with her two children, whereas she was actually living with her partner and her children at their Dundee home.

The Daily Mail reports that benefit claims officials discovered the deception after Ms Lonie changed her relationship status on Facebook.

Last week, Dundee Sheriff Court found Ms Lonie guilty of fraud, after hearing that she had told officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that she had separated from the father of her children, Graeme Heatherwick, when they were living together as a couple.

Over a four-year period, Ms Lonie claimed £30,000 in Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, even though Ms Lonie and Mr Heatherwick were taking family holidays and sharing household expenses.

The DWP launched an investigation after receiving information that Ms Lonie was not a single mother as she had claimed to benefit officials. It was discovered that Mr Heatherwick’s bank account and credit card were registered at the same address as Ms Lonie. He was also listed as an emergency contact at the school attended by the couple’s children, with the address listed being the same as Ms Lonie’s address.

The couple had lived together since 2005, briefly separating in 2009. However, when interviewed by DWP fraud investigators, Mr Heatherwick said that he lived with Ms Lonie and their two children.

Ms Lonie was interviewed by DWP officials in December 2013 and said that she had been “stupid” and knew it was her responsibility.

In court, she pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of being knowingly concerned in a fraudulent activity, with a view to obtaining tax credits to which she was not entitled.

Sentencing has been deferred sentence until next June while social work background reports are prepared.

Ms Lonie was released on bail.

Sheriff Lorna Drummond, QC, told the court:

“This is a serious and significant offence totalling £30,000. The court has custody at the forefront of its mind with a significant amount of money involved like that.”

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of benefit fraud solicitors able to advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud, including

• Child tax credit fraud
• Council tax fraud
• Disability Living Allowance fraud
• Income support fraud
• Jobseeker’s Allowance fraud
• Pension credits fraud
• Universal credit fraud
• Working tax credit fraud.

Duncan Lewis has offices nationwide and benefit fraud solicitors can usually reach a client in under an hour to advise on any charges relating to benefit fraud.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud call Duncan Lewis on 020 7923 4020.