Benefits cheat mum claimed £94k after her son left the family home

A MOTHER claimed almost £94,000 in benefits she was not entitled to in a “flagrant” fraud which lasted for years, a court has heard.

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A judge told the 44-year-old defendant that people are not impressed by “spongers” who dupe the public purse, and said “every bone” in his body told him he should send her to prison ~ but that by following the sentencing guidelines he could not.

Harry Dickens, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that Dawn Hopkins’ claims for income support, carer’s allowance, child tax credits, and housing allowance - which were made on the basis that she was the primary carer for her son who lived at home - were initially genuine.