Benefit cheat gran claimed £65k

AGRANDMOTHER fraudulently claimed more than £65,000 in benefits after lying to the Department of Work and Pensions about her husband living with her.

Wendy Morgan, 58, told the authorities she was living on her own, but she was living with her husband Terry Morgan in an on-and-off relationship.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard Morgan fraudulently claimed income support, employment and support

allowance, and jobseeker’s allowance over a 13-year period.

Prosecutor Suzanne Payne told the court Morgan had told the DWP she was living as an independent with children from the outset and signed a declaration that she would notify them of any changes to her circumstances.

They later discovered she was married and had been sharing a household with Mr Morgan. The total amount she had illegally claimed was £65,616.20.

Morgan was arrested on July 27, 2016, at her home in Blackwood and was interviewed by police. The defendant accepted she had a joint bank account with Mr Morgan into which her benefits were paid.

She said she had the only debit card for the account and would give money to Mr Morgan, while he would buy her things, give her money, and make bank transfers.

She continued to deny living with Mr Morgan, claiming they had a “volatile relationship” and were only just starting to “give things a proper go”.

The defendant claimed he did not help her financially and used her address for correspondence only.

Morgan pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud, but denied two similar charges and one charge of obtaining money by deception. She later changed her plea to guilty in respect of all the charges.

So far she has paid back £600 back to the DWP, but is continuing to make monthly contributions.

Morgan, of St Sannan Road, Pontllanfraith, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months and was ordered to carry out 10 sessions of a rehabilitation activity requirement. She was also ordered to pay £250 in costs and a £140 victim surcharge.