Dawna Bird, a 66-year-old married benefits cheat from Alvaston, Derby, has been handed a suspended jail sentence after fraudulently claiming more than £14,000 in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) while residing in Greece for over 1,000 days between 2019 and 2023.
Failure to notify DWP of overseas stays
Derby Crown Court heard that Bird was legally required to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) whenever she left the UK for more than 28 days, as this affected her PIP claim. However, she failed to do so and instead spent extended periods living in Greece, even advertising her services as a childminder on Facebook while abroad.
Prosecutor Stefan Fox told the court that Bird initially claimed PIP in February 2019. The benefit is designed to help with extra living costs for those with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities who have difficulty with everyday tasks or mobility.
Investigation uncovered Facebook posts
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 childminder."
Bird returned to the UK in August 2023 and was invited for a voluntary interview, where she denied living abroad. However, the evidence was overwhelming, and she pleaded guilty on what was due to be the first day of her trial.
Husband also convicted for separate fraud
Her husband, Harry Bird, had already faced justice for fraudulently claiming approximately £70,000 in additional payments, receiving a nine-month sentence suspended for two years.
Judge Shaun Smith KC imposed a five-month custodial sentence, suspended for a year, on Dawna Bird, saying: "The evidence was pretty overwhelming and in the end you have seen sense. You are now paying the money back in smaller amounts."
Previous convictions and repayment
Bird, of Branksome Avenue, admitted to fraud and has previous convictions for theft and handling stolen goods dating back to the 1980s. Her barrister, Dan Scothern, commented: "The claim was initially legitimate and Mrs Bird is now having the funds removed at source to repay the sum."
