Lotto winner who scooped £300,000 prize but kept it secret so she could scam £18,000 in benefit handouts is spared jail
- Lesley Thomas claimed nearly £18,000 in benefits despite her £300,000 win
- She admitted failing to notify authorities of her change in circumstances
- A probation report on Thomas, from south Wales, said she had shown ‘remorse’
- She was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year
Lesley Thomas, 49, pictured outside court
A lottery winner who claimed almost £18,000 in benefits after keeping her £300,000 jackpot a secret has been spared jail.
Lesley Thomas, 49, received government handouts while her winnings were sitting in the bank, failing to tell the council she was not eligible for the housing benefit and employment and support allowance.
She was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, and was electronically tagged, given a night time curfew and ordered to pay £200 court costs.
A Probation Service report said Thomas, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, has shown ‘deep remorse for her actions’.
Prosecutor Monique McKevitt said: ‘Miss Thomas received a sum of £300,000 as a lottery win from Camelot UK.
‘But she failed to tell the authorities and kept claiming housing benefit and employment and support allowance.
‘Ms Thomas was interviewed on March 15 last year. She admitted that she had claimed the fraudulent funds. The payment has been paid back in full.’
Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court (pictured( heard the total overpayment was in excess of £17,988.10
Thomas pleaded guilty to failing to inform Merthyr Tydfil council of her change of circumstances relating to the housing benefit she was receiving between April 2015 and November 2015.
She also pleaded guilty to failing to inform the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) about her change of circumstances between April 2015 and February 2018, which would have affected her entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance.
Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court heard the total overpayment was in excess of £17,988.10.
Thomas admitted failing to inform Merthyr Tydfil council of her change of circumstances (file image)
The court was also told Ms Thomas lives alone with no children or partner.
She was said to have numerous health complaints that require the ongoing support of carers on a daily basis, especially to help her carry out daily chores.
Kim Treloar, defending, said: ‘She gave some money to her niece to assist her and some money to her relatives.
‘She suffered with depression, anxiety, and many physical issues. She has fully accepted that she’s done wrong.’
Merthyr Tydfil magistrates gave her a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
She was electronically tagged, given a night time curfew and ordered to pay £200 court costs.
Bench chairwoman Mary Morris said: ‘The offence was over a long period of time and it was a deliberate act.’