Benefits cheat who swindled more than £46,000 by falsely claiming she was single parent avoids jail

A benefits cheat who swindled more than £46,000 by falsely claiming she was a single parent was caught out after being spotted escorting her long-term boyfriend to a black tie dinner. 

Claire Bostock, 32, had illegally filched extra housing benefit and income support for six years without telling welfare officials she was living with the father of her children Jonathan Sykes. 

But the mother-of-three was busted after inspectors from the Department of Work and Pensions logged onto Bostock’s Facebook page and saw a series of lovey dovey pictures of her with Mr Sykes, who works for a floor screeding firm – including two images at his Christmas works do.

One picture of the couple posted by Bostock, of Bolton, Greater Manchester was accompanied by the message: ‘Happy anniversary to my fella Jonathan Sykes – nine years and going strong.’

The gushing caption added: ‘You’re not just my fella but the father of my beautiful babies. I loved you then I love you now, you are my soul mate my best friend but most of all, your’re all mine! Happy 9th anniversary and many more years to come xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.’

At Bolton Court Court, Bostock who is still claiming Universal Credit wept as she admitted failing to disclose a change in circumstances. 

She avoid prison as she was handed a six month term suspended for two years after she outlined a programme to pay the money back.

The court heard she had initially started making her claims legitimately as a single parent in November 2010 but she ‘fell into’ the fraud when Mr Sykes moved in with her and helped out with the bills.

Julian Goode prosecuting said: ‘She made numerous declarations about her circumstances which were false.

‘Mr Sykes had been working at a floor screeding company since 2010 and his employer was provided with her home address.

‘During the investigation Facebook material was found which made a number of references to the relationship between the defendant and Mr Sykes.

‘He was paying household bills and also her Virgin Media bill. She was interviewed by said although Mr Sykes was the father of her children, they had not been in a relationship since 2012.’

The court heard the total loss to the taxpayer between 2012 and 2018. was £46,773.58.

In mitigation for Bostock, defence counsel Mark Friend said there had been no offending since the fraud had been discovered. 

He said his client had repaid £1,300 since September including £150 a month deducted from her Universal Credit handouts.

Mr Friend added: ‘She has done and is doing all she can to live within means and make the requisite payments even though she is the mother to three children all under the age of ten and the youngest being only two.

‘It’s fair to say she is of impecunious means. Mr Sykes is self employed and his remuneration can fluctuate dramatically.’

Bostock was also ordered to be electronically tagged for 90 days and abide by a 9pm to 6am curfew.

Sentencing Judge Timothy Stead said she had been ‘contrite’ and told her: ‘I accept you didn’t set out to defraud the council or the Department of Work and Pensions – this was at the outset a proper claim.

‘But you slipped into this and let it run as is often the way with people in your position.

‘I have no doubt you were alarmed and horrified when you discovered exactly how much money was involved because it covers a long period of time – but there it is, the public purse has lost.

‘On the other hand you have since taken every step that you sensibly could to say sorry and put matters right. That is impressive and it spares you an immediate custodial term today and the sentence will be relatively light.

‘You still owe the money of course and no doubt you will be pursued for it..’

Bostock herself sobbed in the dock as she told the judge: ‘I know I have made a lot of mistakes in my life but I realise I could have lost my babies and just want to thank you for the chance you have given me. I promise you, I won’t be here again.’