Woman Pocketed £44K in Benefits by Claiming She Was Single, Then Investigators Found Her Wedding Photos

Judith Blackmore received £44,415 in benefits after declaring herself single, but wedding, hen do, and honeymoon photos posted on Facebook later became key evidence in a fraud investigation. The 64-year-old from East Yorkshire had told authorities that the man she lived with was a joint tenant rather than her partner.

Investigators uncovered bank transfers, social media evidence, and a marriage certificate linking the pair. Blackmore was later sentenced at Hull Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work after admitting fraud by failing to disclose information.

The Claim That Raised Questions

Blackmore applied for Universal Credit on 14 October 2018. Prosecutor Holly Thompson told the court that she declared herself single, said she had no money or savings and stated that she was caring for a relative. She was required to tell the Department for Work and Pensions if she was living with a partner.

On 27 July 2019, Blackmore reported a change of address and housing costs. She said she would be living with another tenant in the Beverley area. Investigators later examined bank statements belonging to Blackmore and the man she had described as her co-tenant. The records showed substantial transfers between their accounts. The man transferred £96,000 to Blackmore, while she transferred £73,000 to him.

The prosecution said the transactions indicated financial interdependence rather than a straightforward joint tenancy. The pair had also presented themselves to their landlord as a couple, according to the prosecution.

Facebook Photos Became Part of the Evidence

Investigators then examined Blackmore's social media accounts. They showed that she had been in a relationship with the man since 2013, according to evidence presented to the court. Investigators also found photographs from her wedding reception on 3 May 2024.

Blackmore had posted pictures of herself with her husband and photographs from celebrations surrounding the wedding. A marriage certificate later confirmed that she had married the man she had previously described as a co-tenant. Investigators also found photographs from a hen do shortly before the wedding and a honeymoon in Cyprus. Companies House records provided another link. The man was listed as a director of a horsebox business owned by Blackmore.

£44,415 in Overpayments

Blackmore was overpaid £40,023 in Universal Credit, while a separate council tax reduction amounted to £4,392. The combined figure was £44,415. She admitted fraud involving East Riding of Yorkshire Council between 1 July 2019 and 17 June 2024. She also admitted a similar offence involving the DWP between 18 September 2018 and 17 June 2024. During questioning, Blackmore accepted that she should have declared a partner when she claimed Universal Credit.

She also said that although she and the man had lived together for years, they had not been a couple throughout that entire period. Her barrister, Julia Baggs, told the court that Blackmore had been dealing with debts connected to her horsebox refurbishment business. She said Blackmore had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and felt ashamed of what she had done.

Suspended Prison Sentence

Recorder Richard Wright KC sentenced Blackmore to 16 months in prison, suspended, and ordered her to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. The judge described the offending as persistent dishonesty involving multiple false declarations over a considerable period. Blackmore is repaying the money at £300 a month, with her barrister saying she intends to increase the payments when possible.