A former holiday representative has been sentenced to prison after orchestrating a sophisticated benefits fraud, swindling the taxpayer out of more than £40,000 while she was actually working abroad.
Kelly Stephens, 49, brazenly claimed a suite of disability allowances, telling officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that debilitating health conditions left her virtually housebound and unable to work.
In a stark contradiction, Stephens was simultaneously employed as a holiday rep in the sunny coastal resort of Marmaris, Turkey. Her double life was exposed when investigators uncovered social media posts and photographs flaunting her active, overseas lifestyle.
The Web of Deceit
Stephens, from St Helens, Merseyside, began her fraudulent claims in 2013. She successfully applied for:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
She consistently reported that her mobility was severely limited and that she required constant care for daily tasks, painting a picture of a life confined to her home.
The Digital Downfall
The elaborate scam began to unravel following a tip-off to the DWP's fraud hotline. Investigators launched a probe, delving into her digital footprint.
Their inquiry revealed a treasure trove of evidence on her social media profiles. Instead of being housebound in the UK, Stephens was pictured smiling and socialising at bars, swimming in pools, and working actively at a Turkish holiday resort—activities completely at odds with her claimed disabilities.
Justice Served
Stephens was arrested and subsequently charged with multiple counts of benefit fraud. She initially pleaded not guilty but later changed her plea to guilty on the first day of her trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The judge sentenced her to 12 months in prison, highlighting the deliberate and sustained nature of her deception which stole vital funds from the public purse.
A DWP spokesman stated: "This is a clear warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to steal from the benefit system. We are determined to catch those who cheat the system and will not hesitate to prosecute them, as this case shows."
