'Single mum' who claimed £22,000 in benefits caught out after posting wedding pictures on Facebook

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Kara O'Neill - The Mirror




A woman who said she was a single mum to claim benefits was caught out after she posted her wedding pictures on Facebook for her friends.

Chanice Bowen, 25, was overpaid by almost £22,000 when lied to benefits officials about her relationship status - and her secret marriage to her fiancé.

But she was caught when officers found a wedding slideshow she posted online captioned: "Best years of my life, love my husband."

Her favourite images included Bowen posing in her white wedding dress, smiling with bridesmaids and the happy couple kissing at the wedding venue.



A court heard Department of Work and Pensions officials asked her what she was doing on the date of her dream wedding - but Bowen replied: "I can't remember."

Bowen was paid thousands in income support, council tax and housing benefit after claiming she was a single parent after splitting from boyfriend Lee Mapstone.

But Mr Mapstone, 26, was working as a mechanic - and the pair were man and wife for three years before her fiddle was discovered.



Prosecutor Andrew Davies said: "This is a case that was fraudulent from the outset.

"In January 2013 Bowen wrote a letter saying Lee Mapstone had left the family home. As a result she received an increase in benefits as a single parent and someone not in work.

"But they married at the civil register office on October 10, 2013.

"In December 2015 she was interviewed under caution. She said she couldn't remember what she was doing on October 10 - the day of her marriage to Lee Mapstone."

Cardiff Crown Court heard how DWP officials had discovered her Facebook page detailing her loving romance with Mr Mapstone.

The photos showed "highlights" of Bowen's life including the birth of her daughter, a holiday to Spain and her secret wedding to her husband.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information after being overpaid a total of £21,696.76 between January 2013 and November 2015.



Adam Sharpe, defending, said: "She accepts she embarked on this enterprise out of greed, albeit to support her daughter.

"She is in a stable relationship and actively seeking employment and is fit for work.

"The effects of sending her into custody would have a particularly devastating impact on her family."

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC told Bowen, of Barry, South Wales, that she had acted out of "greed" rather than "need"

He said: "Offences such as these are easy to commit but often difficult to detect.

"People like you consider the DWP a soft touch. It impacts public funds, and puts a strain on the public purse in paying those who are entitled.

"This was a case of greed not need."

The judge said he would sentence Bowen later - but remanded her in custody while considering her fate.

A DWP spokesman said: "Most people claiming benefits are honest, but there are the unscrupulous minority who cheat taxpayers' money out of our welfare system and divert it away from those who really need it.



"People pretending to live alone to get benefits is one of the most common types of benefit fraud, and this case shows our investigators are bringing criminals to justice.

"Failure to report a change in circumstances that may affect your benefit claim, such as a partner moving in, is a crime.

"Small amounts of weekly overpayments build up and you could end up having to pay back tens of thousands of pounds. "

"People must tell us if their situation changes before it's too late. If you suspect someone of fraudulently claiming benefits, then call our National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440."

[lost in melb.]

[PorkChopSandwiches]

[Fodster]

I used to investigate these scumbags in England before I moved to Oz.