A mum-of-six has been caught out in a shocking benefits scam, lying about her boyfriend living with her to swindle more than £85,000.
Emma Buck, who lives in Bournville, dishonestly claimed income support, housing benefit and child tax credits for three years.The 49 year old told investigators that her ex-partner only 'popped around a couple of times a week' and she didn't know where he lived.
But the truth was they were living together as a couple, he had his own key and even used her address on important paperwork.Eventually, Buck admitted to two offences of dishonestly failing to notify of a change in circumstances affecting her entitlement to benefits and one offence of being knowingly involved in the fraudulent payment of tax credits.In court on Thursday, Judge Richard Bond told her she was 'lucky you live in our society' but decided not to send her to prison straight away.
He gave her a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, including 20 rehabilitation days. He said her three youngest children would 'suffer greatly' if she was sent to jail, reports Birmingham Live.
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