Benefits fraud, USA News (Hull): A mother-of-four has received a two-year suspended prison sentence after she admitted defrauding the Department of Work and Pensions of £46,770 through a childcare benefits scam. Theresa Abur, 36, appeared at Hull Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to submitting fabricated invoices over a three-and-a-half-year period.
The court was told Abur falsely claimed to be paying an Ofsted-registered childminder for looking after her children when the money was actually going to an unregistered friend. Prosecutors described the scheme, which ran from March 2021 to September 2024, as a sophisticated fraud involving a substantial number of counterfeit invoices and bank statements submitted to support her Universal Credit claim.
Ben Hammersley, prosecuting, told the court Abur had entered her guilty plea on the understanding that whilst she claimed benefits for what was purportedly an Ofsted-approved childminder, the individual providing care was in reality a female friend without official registration. The fraudulent payments were passed on to this friend rather than being retained by Abur herself. The Universal Credit claims initially covered childcare costs for three of her children before expanding to include four children. Mr Hammersley noted the DWP has already begun recovering the £46,770 overpayment. The court heard Abur had no prior criminal convictions.
Prosecutors emphasised whilst the financial gain was considerable, it had not personally benefited the defendant. Holly Thompson, defending, argued Abur’s actions were not driven by a desire for personal enrichment. The barrister told the court her client had demonstrated significant regret for her offending and had felt under considerable pressure during the period of the fraud, believing she had no alternative options available to her.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Miss Thompson described Abur as having very low financial means and highlighted she was pursuing educational studies aimed at improving prospects for both herself and her children. The defence stressed the fraudulently obtained funds had not been spent on designer goods and fancy holidays. The court heard there was a genuine possibility of Abur’s rehabilitation and she posed minimal danger of committing further offences.
Passing sentence, Recorder Nathan Moxon acknowledged Abur had not personally profited from the scheme and had shown considerable remorse, whilst also being employed and engaged in studying. However, he emphasised the seriousness of her sustained deception.
“You forged invoices to claim, from the Department of Work and Pensions, money to cover the cost of childcare from Ofsted-registered child minders when your children were not, in fact, being looked after by someone who was Ofsted-registered,” the recorder stated. “You repeatedly provided false information and false invoices over a period of three-and-half years.” He underlined that the welfare system is there to protect the most vulnerable and stressed that it is already overstretched and cannot tolerate being abused.
Abur was handed a two-year suspended sentence alongside a probation requirement.
