Dawna Bird, a 66-year-old married woman from Alvaston, Derby, has been sentenced for fraudulently claiming more than £14,000 in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) while living in Greece. She pleaded guilty on what was to be the first day of her trial at Derby Crown Court.
Details of the Fraud
Between 2019 and 2023, Bird spent over 1,000 days outside the UK, primarily in Greece, without notifying the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as required. PIP claimants must inform the DWP if they leave the country for more than 28 days, as this affects their eligibility. Prosecutor Stefan Fox told the court that Bird even advertised her services as a childminder on Facebook while abroad.
Bird initially claimed PIP in February 2019. The benefit is intended to help with extra costs for those with long-term physical or mental health conditions who have difficulty with everyday tasks or mobility. Her claim was approved, and she received guidance about the notification requirement, but she failed to comply.
Investigation and Evidence
The DWP launched an investigation after evidence emerged that Bird was living outside the UK. Fox stated: "There are screen shots 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." Bird returned to the UK in August 2023 and was invited for a voluntary interview, where she denied living abroad.
Bird's husband, Harry Bird, had previously been sentenced for fraudulently claiming approximately £70,000 in additional payments, receiving a nine-month sentence suspended for two years.
Sentence and Repayment
Judge Shaun Smith KC imposed a five-month custodial sentence, suspended for a year, noting that the evidence was "pretty overwhelming." He added: "You are now paying the money back in smaller amounts." Bird, of Branksome Avenue, has previous convictions for theft and handling stolen goods dating back to the 1980s.
Defence barrister Dan Scothern said: "The claim was initially legitimate and Mrs Bird is now having the funds removed at source to repay the sum."
