£100,000 benefits fraudster told to go on a course
No jail for mum who took cash for family in Pakistan
‘Significant sums of money’
A MOTHER of eight who pocketed almost £100,000 in illegal benefits for relatives in Pakistan has been spared jail.
Saaba Mahmood, 36, received state handouts on behalf of her aunt and uncle over a six-year period – even though she knew they were living 4,000 miles away in their native Pakistan.
When she was caught, Mahmood said she did not realise she was unable to claim for relatives who lived abroad.
She also claimed she ‘lacked skills in understanding how to live in society as a responsible adult’.
Mahmood, of Heald Green near Manchester, was spared a jail term after offering to enrol on a taxpayer-funded programme to help her realise her crimes were not ‘victimless’. She had admitted four charges of failing to disclose information to make a gain and one offence of fraud at Minshull Street Crown Court – and was given 16 months in jail, suspended for 18 months.
Prosecutor Julian Goode said Mahmood had ‘acted as an appointee’ for her aunt, uncle and mother and had ‘a duty to disclose changes in circumstances that would impact the claim’.
Mahmood claimed Disability Living Allowance and Employment Support Allowance on behalf of her aunt from 2013 to 2018, with the money going directly to her bank account. Her aunt left the UK for Pakistan in January 2014 and did not return until October 2018.
Mahmood did not disclose this, and continued receiving the benefits – a total of £62,406.53 – in that time, said Mr Goode.
Her uncle claimed the same benefits from 2010 to 2018. Mahmood received the money on his behalf from 2012, but her uncle visited Pakistan for long periods of time while she was his appointee – which she failed to disclose, resulting in overpayments of £32,074.52. Mr Goode said Mahmood was also an appointee for her mother.
And in 2018, she received £325 in Employment Support Allowance after claiming her mother was able to care for her uncle. The total overpayment from Mahmood’s fraudulent claims was £94,858.44, said Mr Goode.
At an earlier hearing, a lawyer for Mahmood said she would ‘benefit from programmes to help her understand these are not victimless offences’. At Thursday’s hearing, Isobel Thomas, defending, said: ‘She is genuinely remorseful. She pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
‘Immediate custody will have a significant harmful impact on others. She has eight children aged between one and 13 who would have to go into foster care as her husband has schizophrenia and is unable to care for them.
‘She has never troubled the courts before and no longer claims benefits.’ During sentencing, Judge Angela Nield said: ‘In your case the sums of money were significant and the offending took place over a lengthy period. I have somewhat reluctantly concluded that I can suspend your sentence.’
Alongside the suspended sentence, Mahmood was ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Mahmood will face a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in November.