Bethany Elwood, a 31-year-old mum-of-two from Parson Cross, continued to claim Universal Credit on the basis she was single even after her partner moved into the family home in mid-2020s, court documents show, meaning she should not have been eligible for the full amount she received.

The deception came to light in 2024 after someone reported concerns to a fraud hotline, prompting an investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions, which found she had wrongly taken £78,057.52 in payments over four years.

During a December interview under caution she initially maintained she was single but eventually admitted the truth to investigators, the court was told.

‍Her solicitor, Mark Dooley, told the hearing,

"It is true there initially some denials, but before that interview had finished she made a full and frank admission. She had existing debts when the fraud began, which now amount to over £30,000. The fraud was hanging over, but it was something that she kept doing as a solution. It was not fraudulent at the outset, but it became fraudulent as time went on."

Following the interview she informed her employer of the situation and was invited to resign, though reports said she has since found new work.

Sentencing her to 12 months in prison suspended for 24 months and ordering her to repay the money at £20 a month along with £272 in court costs, magistrate David Palmer described the case as;

"A long term, wilful fraud for a great deal of money. Benefit fraud is an offence where you are defrauding all of us. However, given your caring responsibilities for your children and lack of previous convictions, this can be dealt with with a suspended sentence."

Work and Pensions Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said,

"The message is clear, do not think you can steal from hardworking taxpayers. Whatever your reasons for committing benefit fraud, know that our investigators are wise to every trick in the book and we will find you. And if you know somebody is fleecing the system, report it."

Elwood is now barred from claiming further benefits and must repay the overpaid Universal Credit in instalments, as is required in confirmed fraud cases where claimants do not inform authorities of changes in circumstances.