UK: Attack on tax credit system with fake children

David Wilshaw and Nancy Stevenson, a Weston-super-Mare couple, were last week sentenced at Bristol Crown Court for illegally claiming tax credits worth over GBP75,000. Wilshaw was sentenced to 20 months in prison and Stevenson to a 12 month community order. She will also be subject to a curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am, enforced by electronic tagging, for 4 months. Sarah Bamford, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Senior Investigating Officer said: 'This case is the result of many months of intense and thorough work by a dedicated team of tax credit investigation officers, determined to see that these fraudsters were brought to justice. The vast majority of tax credit claimants are honest and claim only what they are entitled to. But those who think that they can beat the system and gain advantage over everyone elsewithout consideration or second thought should be worried. HMRC will seek them out with determination and persistence.' In a string of scams which included claiming for 16 fictitious children, denying receiving Giro cheques which they had actually cashed and then cashing the replacements, the couple received GBP76,415 to which they had no entitlement. Wilshaw pleaded guilty on 7 June 2007 at North Somerset Magistrates court to 42 charges related to tax credit fraud. Stevenson also pleaded guilty at that time to a charge of being knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity undertaken with a view to obtaining tax credits. Stevenson pleaded guilty to a further charge of being in possession of criminal property at a later appearance before Bristol Crown Court on 29 March this year.Due diligence information: David Clive Wilshaw, born 21.12.1949 in Stoke-on Trent.Nancy Agnes Stevenson, born 12.03.1949 in Scotland.