A benefits cheat spared jail despite falsely claiming almost £100,000 has been ordered to refund the taxpayer just £11 a month – meaning it would take her 686 years to pay it all back.
Claire Finney, 41 years old, was treated to five-star holiday experiences as she received extra child tax credits and universal credit. She also got housing benefit, income support, and additional child tax credits.
Along with her four children and long-time partner Joseph Perry – who she falsely described in one claim as their grandfather – she enjoyed a string of stays at luxury resorts in Cyprus. Perry was never accused of wrongdoing.
Claire Finney (pictured), 41, has been spared jail despite enjoying five-star holidays after falsely claiming almost £100,000 in benefits
Finney faced up to three years in jail after she admitted giving false information to the Department of Work and Pensions and her local council, resulting in a total loss to the taxpayer of £97,028.
However, even though she had been convicted for benefit fraud, she was granted a suspension sentence and was allowed to leave court. This is because a judge told her that her children would suffer if he imprisoned her.
She is paying back the money at just £11.77 a month – a rate at which she would not cover the full amount until the year 2707.
Before the hearing, the DWP agreed to the rate and it is understood that the rate is based on the woman’s low income.
Fraudulent claims were made from Salford and Eccles in Greater Manchester.
Finney (pictured), who falsely claimed she was single, received extra child tax credit, universal credit and housing benefit, as well as income support.
Eleanor Gleeson was the prosecution’s representative at Manchester Crown Court. She stated she lived in these properties while raising four children and supporting herself, all without any employment between April 2014-July 2019.
She claimed that her primary address was actually owned by Perry, ‘who was either the spouse or partner of defendant during the time in question.
Only after anonymous tips, was the fraud exposed.
Figures showed Finney made claims totalling £136,168 but was only entitled to just under £39,140.
Her claims proved false, as Mr Perry continued living with her. Also, she had inflated her child care costs. We don’t know if they are still together.
Finney was informed by Judge Nicholas Dean QC that they had a problem with people who are legitimately entitled to benefits. They were tarred with the exact same brush as you.
However, he stated that it would be “immensely difficult for your children” to send her to prison.
Finney received 12 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. He was ordered to do 180 hours unpaid work.