Jury told of Telford pair's 'marriage lie' in £44,000 fraud case
A couple lied about their marriage and living together to claim more than £44,000 worth of benefits, a jury has been told.
Stephen and Nicola Coleman, from Oakengates in Telford, are accused of lying about being separated and living in the same house for a nine-year period from 2002 to 2011.
During this time Mrs Coleman claimed £38,888 in income support and £6,394 in council tax benefits, which she would not have been entitled to if Mr Coleman was living with her.
His alleged involvement is producing false documents to support her applications to the Department of Work and Pensions and Telford & Wrekin Council.
Kevin Grego, prosecuting at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, said the fraud started when Mrs Coleman, 40, applied for council tax benefits while living at Deercote in Hollinswood, Telford. In her application it was said that Mrs Coleman claimed Mr Coleman, 46, was her ex-husband but was the landlord at the address where she was living.
She said she was unemployed and was only received child income support, and used her maiden name Griffiths. She did the same when applying for income support from the Department of Work and Pensions.
Mr Coleman's involvement started when he submitted a number of documents to support the applications including tenancy agreements, rent books and letters stating he was receiving rent, Mr Grego said. The documents stated he was a landlord living at his mother's address.
Mrs Coleman claimed the money up until she moved addresses in 2009 to Damson Drive in Oakengates, Telford. She reapplied for the benefits and continued to receive them until an investigation was launched in 2010.
During her time at Deercote, Mr Grego told the court that Mr Coleman had applied for credit cards and agreements and loans using the address in his application.
In July 2006 Mr Coleman started working at Ricoh and had his registered address at Deercotes. He declared himself as married and had Nicola Coleman as next of kin. After Mrs Coleman moved to Damson Drive, which was purchased by Mr Coleman, he continued to pay bills at the address and had bank accounts registered to the address.
He also applied for an £8,000 loan, using Damson Drive as his address, which was used to buy Mrs Coleman a car. The couple also had a joint bank accounts. Mr Grego said: "They were husband and wife. She was making the claims and her husband was completing the ruse and deceit.
An interview between Mrs Coleman and fraud investigators was read out to the court.
She said she did not know Mr Coleman was using her address.
Mr and Mrs Coleman deny fraud and are to give evidence tomorrow.
The trial continues.
