A benefits fraudster who admitted stealing £85,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions is planning to go on holiday within weeks, a court has heard.
Billie Jean Crowther, 55, of Old Street, Waterfoot, pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court to fraudulently claiming employment and support allowance, Universal Credit and housing benefit over a decade-long period.
District Judge Alexandra Preston expressed dismay at Crowther's plans to travel later this month despite owing the state £85,347 in false benefit claims.
The judge said: "I note that you are due to go on holiday later this month, and I find that extraordinary given how much you owe the state for what you have taken in false benefit claims."
A benefits fraudster who admitted stealing £85,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions is planning to go on holiday within weeks, a court has heard
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The court heard that Crowther had claimed benefits as a single woman unable to work due to health conditions between October 2014 and January 2024.
In reality, she was living with her husband, who was employed and providing income for the household.
Prosecutor Courtney Thompson told the court that the fraud spanned three different benefits over the ten-year period.
Thompson said: "We say the claim was fraudulent from the outset, and during the 10-year period, she would have made a number of false declarations relating to her circumstances."
Billie Jean Crowther, 55, of Old Street, Waterfoot, pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court to fraudulently claiming employment and support allowance, Universal Credit and housing benefit over a decade-long period
She added: "The claims were all made on the basis she was single person with health conditions which prevented her from looking for work."
The fraudulent claims included employment and support allowance from October 2014 to November 2022, Universal Credit from December 2022 to December 2023, and housing benefit from October 2014 to January 2024.
Crowther has been released on bail and will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court after District Judge Preston determined her sentencing powers were insufficient for the case.
The judge also criticised Crowther's attitude towards the Probation Service, which had prepared a pre-sentence report.
Addressing the planned holiday, Howard explained: 'The money for the holiday was won in a competition'
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Defence solicitor Neil Howard told the court that Crowther's partner had not always lived at her address during the period of the fraudulent claims.
Addressing the planned holiday, Howard explained: "The money for the holiday was won in a competition."
Courtney Thompson, prosecuting, said the total overpayment was £85,347.
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