Married couple caught in £50,000 benefits scam after posting holiday photos online
A husband and wife who falsely claimed they were single parents saw their fraud unravelled after posting holiday snaps online.
Alan Forsythe, 37, and wife Jemma, 36, swindled over £50,000 in benefits they weren't entitled to.
The court was informed that from 2019 to 2023, the couple resided together at their family home in Blackpool, along with their two children and Jemma's two older children from a previous relationship.
An investigation was eventually initiated when the DWP spotted social media posts showing the pair as a married couple.
Preston Crown Court heard that in February 2019, Alan Forsythe applied for Universal Credit, asserting he was living alone in a flat in Blackpool.
He continued to claim until October 2019, when he ended the claim, but in January 2022 he signed on again - this time purporting to be a single father to a child living with him.
He continued to claim Universal Credit on these grounds until July 2023, the court heard. In total, Mr Forsythe claimed £3,182.27 he was not entitled to.
His wife Jemma Forsythe, now using her maiden name O'Malley, made a claim with the DWP in June 2020, also alleging to be a single parent.
She alleged she was residing with her four children but neglected to disclose that her husband was also living at the family home and working full time. She perpetuated this falsehood until June 2023, fraudulently claiming £49,007.91, according to court proceedings.
Each claimant is required to sign a declaration affirming the truthfulness of the information provided and committing to inform the DWP of any changes in circumstances.
Mrs Forsythe has a prior conviction for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, dating back to 2014.
The DWP initiated an investigation and found social media posts where the couple portrayed themselves as married. They conducted further investigations, examining bank statements and credit references, before inviting them for an interview in June 2023.
On June 14, Mr Forsythe visited St Annes Jobcentre where he claimed he was sofa surfing after separating from Jemma.
On June 26, Mrs Forsythe visited the same Jobcentre and informed investigators they had separated but were not yet divorced. The couple later admitted to fraud.
In September 2024, Alan Forsythe was sentenced to four years in prison following his involvement in a violent assault that resulted in life-altering injuries for a man. He appeared at Preston Crown Court to face fraud charges via a prison video link.
His barrister, Anthony Parkinson, acknowledged that an immediate custodial sentence was inevitable but expressed grave concern about the impact on their children if their mother was also incarcerated.
Mrs Forsythe's barrister, Kira Unsworth, highlighted her client's robust work ethic and determination to resolve her debts through her occupation as a care assistant. Unsworth also mentioned that Mrs Forsythe has separated from her spouse and launched divorce proceedings.
During the sentencing, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi remarked, "You were both involved in providing false information to the DWP which affected the benefits you were entitled to. You were a married couple and resided together in your family home."
She continued: "At the time you made these claims you signed declarations but you were not providing accurate information. You were taking from the public purse. Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious."
Recorder Siddiqi imposed a 15-week sentence on Alan Forsythe of Armistead Court, Fleetwood, to run consecutive to his current sentence. Yet, she took into consideration the children's right to a family life when decreeing Mrs Forsythe's sentence.
Addressing the convicted mother, Siddiqi stated, "You knew it was a criminal offence," and noted, "You have a previous conviction and you went on to commit this offence over this period. This was fraudulent activity over a sustained period of 36 months that you were defrauding the DWP."
The Recorder also acknowledged, "I have heard about the pressure you were under and that you are now working and taking steps to address your mental health. You recognise you need to work on this debt problem.
"Taking money is not the solution. Your children deserve better than this - this is no example to set them. They are today facing the prospect of both parents being in prison. Their rights are very important to this court."
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"If it wasn't for those children I would be sending you to prison right now. Because of those children I am going to suspend the sentence."
She handed Mrs Forsythe, of Foxdale Avenue, Blackpool, a 21-month suspended sentence for two years with 10 days' rehabilitation activity requirements and a six-month curfew from 9pm to 7am.
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