Happy family boast that caught out benefit cheat
A DOG-SITTER who fiddled more than £80,000 in benefits by claiming she was a single mother was exposed after revealing online that she was married.
But Nicola Alcock, 40, was spared jail because her children depend on her and she was of previous good character.
She got child tax credit and housing benefit for years by claiming she lived alone with her children, now aged 20 and 13.
Her lie was only uncovered when she started working for Barking Mad dog-sitting service.
Alcock, of Earby, Lancashire, was featured on the company’s website talking about her happy family life with husband Gerard Thornton, 51.
She said: “I am proud to be the Barking Mad representative in Keighley and surrounding areas. I live with my husband Gez and two children.
“We have a long-haired Jack Russell called Penny, along with 4 cats, a fish and a pony called Custard. So as you can see, not only am I animal mad but being Barking Mad helps too!”
Inquiries by the Department For Work And Pensions revealed Alcock had married trucker Mr Thornton in 2008, yet she failed to mention it to the authorities. When confronted over her deceit, Alcock only confessed when shown her marriage certificate.
She was overpaid £58,722 in tax credits and £22,856 in housing benefit.
At Burnley Crown Court, she admitted benefit fraud between December 2008 and April 2015.
She was given an eight-month suspended jail sentence, ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and faces a proceeds of crime hearing at a later date.
Recorder Simon Hilton told Alcock she would have been jailed had it not been for her previous good character and her children’s dependence on her.
He said: “You have led an honest life. You are being treated for depression.
“You have two children who are still substantially dependent on you being around for them.”