Next-Door Neighbours Grass-Up £56,000 Benefits Cheat

A benefits cheat, shopped by her next-door neighbours for a five-year £56,000 scam, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence.

Mother-of-three Lesley Jane Harris, 48, of Ellis Road, Coulsdon claimed she was a single-mum living alone, despite sharing the family home (pictured) with her husband.

The first-time offender, whose three daughters are now aged 20, 26 and 29, began her income support claim in August 1989 and continued signing declarations she was a lone parent.

Harris pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to two counts of failing to notify a change in circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions and Croydon Council between June, 2003 and September, 2008.

Prosecutor Miss Bridget Todd told the court Harris claimed her husband walked out after a series of rows, but failed to declare he returned to the family home.

Investigators questioned the immediate next-door neighbours either side of Harris and they confirmed the defendant’s husband shared the house and enjoyed family BBQ’s.

It was also revealed the couple shared the same local G.P., giving the same residential address and Harris’s vehicle was registered with DVLA at the family home.

When quizzed in September, 2008 Harris maintained she was not living with her husband or took money from him.

Harris has so far repaid £380 income support to the Department for Work and Pensions and £623 housing benefit to Croydon Council.

The court heard Harris, who has been prescribed anti-depressants since the age of eighteen, has also suffered four strokes.

She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to obey a nightime curfew between 7pm and 7am for six months.