Telford benefits cheat caught - on Facebook

A Telford woman claiming benefits as a single parent living alone posted items on Facebook showing her with her husband and their three children.

Kim Stokes, 36, and her partner also made a joint application for a loan.

Telford magistrates court heard yesterday Stokes had been overpaid by about £15,000 in housing and council tax benefits and income support over two years.

Deputy District Judge David Stott gave Stokes, of Hayward Avenue, Donnington, a 12-month community order. She must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and be under supervision and pay £100 costs.

She admitted two charges of failing to notify changes in her circumstances to the DWP between May, 2007 and October, 2009.

Miss Catherine Thomas, prosecuting, said Stokes had told the DWP she was a lone parent, unemployed and separated from her husband, Richard Stokes.

However, they were living together and had jointly applied for a loan. Investigators also found Facebook items showing Stokes, her husband and children involved in family activities.

Mr Sheikel Ahmed, defending, said the couple had been apart, but he later started regularly stopping and she should have told the DWP.