A 54-year-old man has been given a suspended prison sentence after concealing his mother's body in a freezer to continue claiming her benefits. Philipe Brough pleaded guilty to preventing a lawful and decent burial and fraud at Portsmouth Crown Court.
The body of his 90-year-old mother, Louise Brough, was discovered in a freezer at their flat in Portsmouth in August last year. A post-mortem examination found she had died of natural causes around the end of February. Brough admitted failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of her death to continue receiving her pension and carer's benefits.
Prosecutor Martyn Booth told the court that concerns were raised when the council attempted to contact Mrs Brough about refurbishment work. Brough was evasive and refused access, leading police to investigate. He initially claimed his mother was with an aunt in London, but this was found to be false. The freezer was found hidden behind a mattress and covered with a cardboard box, with industrial tape sealing the door.
The total amount fraudulently claimed was £5,390, of which Brough had repaid £2,000. Defence lawyer Matthew Jewell said Brough had a history of depression and panicked after his mother's death, fearing he would lose his home. Judge Roger Hetherington sentenced Brough to eight months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months, with a 12-month supervision order, accepting he acted out of an 'emotional inability to cope'.
