A married benefits cheat from Derby unlawfully claimed more than £14,000 she had no entitlement to after relocating to Greece. Derby Crown Court heard how Dawna Bird was obliged to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) whenever she left the country for more than 28 days, as this directly affected her Personal Independence Payments (PIP) claim. Yet between 2019 and 2023, she spent more than 1,000 days residing abroad, even advertising her services as a childminder on Facebook while living there.
Husband Already Convicted for Separate Fraud
Her husband Harry Bird has already faced justice, prosecutor Stefan Fox confirmed, having fraudulently claimed approximately £70,000 in additional payments and receiving a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years. Now, on what was due to be the opening day of her trial, the 66-year-old, from Alvaston, has admitted her offence, reports Derbyshire Live.
Court Hearing and Sentence
Handing down a five-month custodial sentence, suspended for one year, Judge Shaun Smith KC said: "The evidence was pretty overwhelming and in the end you have seen sense. You are now paying the money back in smaller amounts." Mr Fox told the court that Bird initially applied for PIP in February 2019. The benefit is designed to assist with additional living costs for those with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability who struggle with certain daily activities or mobility due to their condition.
Investigation Reveals Extensive Absence
The prosecutor confirmed her application was approved, and she was subsequently informed that any absence from the country required notification to the DWP. However, she neglected to do so when, between that point and 2023, she relocated to Greece for portions of the year. Mr Fox stated: "Evidence came to light that she was living outside the UK and an investigation began. There were periods when she flew to and from Greece and in total was more than 1,000 days during which she was obligated to tell the DWP."
"There are screenshots from Facebook accounts where she was saying she was planning to move abroad and Facebook posts that she was in Greece and advertising as a child minder." The defendant returned to the UK in August 2023 and was invited to participate in a voluntary interview where it was put to her she had been out of the UK for extensive periods of time but she denied that she was living abroad.
Previous Convictions and Repayment
Bird, of Branksome Avenue, admitted to fraud and carries previous convictions encompassing theft and handling stolen goods stretching back to the 1980s. Dan Scothern, her barrister, stated: "The claim was initially legitimate and Mrs Bird is now having the funds removed at source to repay the sum."
