Benefits fraudster spared jail after taking £28,000 in taxpayer cash despite inheriting £121,000

The 63-year-old gained £121,143 from her father when he died, receiving 100 per cent of his estate.

Samuel Jenkins, prosecuting, explained Rouse’s benefits would have been reduced or stopped had authorities been alerted to the large sum resulting from the will.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how the mother-of-three transferred £50,000 to her children - £20,000 to her daughter and £15,000 each to her two sons.

She went on to pay £12,500 for a new car.

Rouse has in fact told authorities of her father’s death, just not of the inheritance, leading to her being overpaid between July 2022 and June 2024.

The fraudster pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notifying the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of her change in circumstances.

She had no previous convictions.

Kirsten Murphy, defending Rouse, told the court that her client was terminally ill with an untreatable brain tumour.

“She pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and she is utterly ashamed to find herself in this position and is remorseful,” her lawyer said.

“The defendant made a silly mistake which she knows she must be punished for.”

Ms Murphy added that Rouse had already repaid £9,000 of the benefits to the Government due to a lengthy delay before coming to court.

Judge Lucy Crowther described Rouse’s actions as “callous”.

She continued: “This was a legitimate benefits claim which became fraudulent.

“You should be utterly ashamed of yourself.”

Rouse was jailed for 20 weeks suspended for 18 months.

As part of the sentence, the grandmother-of-four must complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity.

Rouse will face a proceeds of crime hearing on June 22.

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