Pair pretended pal was alive to grab his £40,000 benefits
A WOMAN swindled nearly £40,000 in benefits after her disabled friend died – by pretending he was still alive for four years, a court heard yesterday.
Michelle Kirkup devised a “sophisticated” plan and conned multiple authorities by signing letters in her deceased friend's name.
She claimed his disability benefits and her partner, Michael Wallace, even impersonated him on the phone as part of the “wholly despicable” scheme.
The court heard that £37,121 in total was paid into Kirkup's bank account between 2012 and 2016.
Kirkup, 34, and Wallace, 54, who were both receiving benefits, bought three cars over the four-year period and lavished money on themselves.
They were eventually caught after an anonymous tip-off to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Southampton Crown Court heard that the couple's friend Laurence Dear died in October 2012.
Mr Dear – who Kirkup considered a “brother” as they had grown up together – suffered from cerebral palsy as well as learning disabilities and died from natural causes.
Despicable
Owing to the severity of his disabilities, Mr Dear, of Southampton, received premium disability allowance and a few months before his death the money started to be paid into Kirkup's bank account.
A year later, a phone call was made saying he had changed address and was “living with his sister” at Kirkup and Wallace's Southampton home.
Two forms were sent out and returned – supposedly filled out by Mr Dear.
Other forms requesting loans of up to £900 were sent in his name and in June last year Wallace phoned the DWP pretending to be Mr Dear and asking why his benefits had been stopped.
However officials, who were already suspicious, had launched an investigation and the pair were arrested.
Mary Aspinall-Miles, prosecuting, said: “Both individuals were well-versed with the disability allowance system, as each of them received benefits too.
“Each of them are blaming each other and pointing the finger when asked who was behind this wholly despicable plan to receive £40,000 in benefits from a deceased friend. It's sophisticated in its nature given the amount of time it goes on for and the number of authorities they deceived.
“It's quite clear that Mr Dear had no next of kin and they took advantage of this for a total of four years.”
Of Wallace, she said his “involvement seems to be a phone call to the DWP, pretending to be Mr Dear – he was asking why his benefits had stopped”.
Susan Ridge, for Kirkup, who wept in the dock, said her client and now ex-partner Wallace bought three cars.
She added: “My client and Mr Dear had been childhood friends and grew up together in a children's home.
“They considered themselves brother and sister.
“She only has an IQ of 57, which is extremely low. She was suggestible in her relationship with Wallace.”
Christopher Gaiger, for Wallace, said he maintains his only part in the scheme was the phone call.
Kirkup was given a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for nine months, after admitting three counts of dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit. Wallace, who admitted fraud, was given a community order.
Recorder Christine Agnew, QC, told the pair during sentencing: “The benefits system in this country is creaking and it cannot and should not be abused by the likes of you.”