A 32-year-old mother of three has avoided prison after admitting to fraudulently claiming more than £20,000 in benefits while living with her husband.
Chantelle Crookes received a 12-month community order and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work after appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court. The court heard that she had claimed £20,595 in benefits and council tax support over 191 weeks.
Magistrates were told that Crookes was repaying the money she had obtained through the claims.
Husband’s Return Was Not Reported to Authorities
Crookes, who lives on Nessa Close in Norfolk, claimed she was the only adult living at her property to qualify for Universal Credit and council tax support from Breckland District Council.
However, she failed to inform the authorities that her previously estranged husband, Shane Lord, had moved back into the home.
The arrangement allowed her to continue receiving benefits and reduced council tax bills despite the change in her household circumstances.
Fraud Continued for Almost Four Years
The false claims continued from February 2021 until September 2024, when benefits staff discovered the fraud.
Prosecutor Emma Pocknell told the court that Crookes had dishonestly failed to disclose information affecting her entitlement to benefits. She also failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions that her circumstances had changed.
Crookes admitted a further offence of false representation relating to a benefits claim submitted in April 2023. The application did not disclose that she was living with her husband and “maintaining a common household”.
Defence Cites Financial Pressure and Health Problems
In mitigation, Annette Hall told the court that Crookes had no previous history of offending and had been under financial pressure while raising three young children.
Hall said the household’s income had not been sufficient to cover its expenses when the offences were committed.
She explained that Crookes had initially made legitimate claims but failed to report the change in her circumstances after her husband returned. The defence also said her physical and mental health had deteriorated during that period.
“She is not proud of it but things spiralled out of control,” Hall told the court.
Court Orders Community Sentence and Unpaid Work
Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order requiring Crookes to complete 120 hours of unpaid work rather than sending her to prison.
The court heard that she was making repayments towards the £20,595 claimed fraudulently.
The offences were described as carrying a typical prison sentence of between one and three years, although Crookes avoided immediate custody.
