Couple jailed for benefit fraud

The parents of a dead child have each been jailed for six months after claiming more than £20,000 in benefits.

Dionne Cairns, 35, and her husband Michael, 45, received tax credits and income support for their son Benjamin, four years after he died in 2002.

The pair from Ladderswood Way, Enfield, north London, failed to report their baby's death until a tip-off alerted the authorities.

They pleaded guilty to conspiracy and benefit fraud at Isleworth Crown Court.

The couple continued to claim benefits for their son after he died from a premature death, even chasing up the Inland Revenue saying that they needed the money for Benjamin.

The couple's fraud finally came to light in 2006 when they moved from Northwood in north-west London to Enfield and the Department of Work and Pensions received a tip-off from a member of the public.

Speaking afterwards, Councillor Philip Corthorne, from Hillingdon Council said: "While we feel sympathetic to any parent who tragically loses a young child, the law is clear, benefit fraud is stealing and it will not be tolerated."