A benefit cheat continued collecting her dead mother’s pension for nearly eight years in a £77,000 fraud, a court heard.
Hilary Wilson, 46, a school clerical assistant from Brixton, did not report the death, which happened during a visit to Jamaica and was not registered in the UK.
Inner London crown court heard that Wilson’s mother had her state pension paid into a joint account that she held with her daughter.
The mother of two pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions between August 10, 2009 and February 12, 2017. The fraud was exposed in a review of her finances.
Sam Barker, prosecuting, told the court: “It is £77,000 she is not entitled to. She dishonestly received a benefit she was never entitled to.”
Wilson’s lawyer said she was the only breadwinner in the household after her husband died. The court was told she has a daughter, 24, and a son, 10, who both have health problems.
Judge Ian Darling told Wilson: “You have been very dishonest, but in circumstances that mitigate that dishonesty.”
On Wednesday, Wilson was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.
She must also complete 15 days of rehabilitation and the DWP will make deductions from benefits she receives for herself rather than pursue full confiscation.
