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Mother and son Thai benefit fraud Mother and son Thai benefit fraud
(20 minutes later)
A Swansea man who claimed more than £11,000 in benefits while living in Thailand for 18 months was helped by his teacher mother, a court has heard.A Swansea man who claimed more than £11,000 in benefits while living in Thailand for 18 months was helped by his teacher mother, a court has heard.
Thomas Clancey, 31, of Loughor, even got married while overseas and Sybil Lloyd, 56, of Llanelli, would fill in his forms and send them to him to sign.Thomas Clancey, 31, of Loughor, even got married while overseas and Sybil Lloyd, 56, of Llanelli, would fill in his forms and send them to him to sign.
Both admitted three charges relating to benefit fraud.Both admitted three charges relating to benefit fraud.
At Swansea Magistrates' Court Clancey was given a 12-month community order and his mother was fined £750.At Swansea Magistrates' Court Clancey was given a 12-month community order and his mother was fined £750.
Both were also told to pay £75 costs each, and Lloyd must also pay a £15 victims' surcharge. Both were also told to pay £75 costs, and Lloyd must also pay a £15 victims' surcharge.
Prosecuting, John Allchurch said Clancey moved to Thailand in August 2005 and did not return until February 2007.Prosecuting, John Allchurch said Clancey moved to Thailand in August 2005 and did not return until February 2007.
Whilst overseas he was in receipt of severe disability allowance, housing benefit, council tax and income support totalling £11,268. Many people from the UK living in Thailand were also claiming benefits What Thomas Clancey is said to have told investigatorsWhilst overseas he was in receipt of severe disability allowance, housing benefit, council tax and income support totalling £11,268. Many people from the UK living in Thailand were also claiming benefits What Thomas Clancey is said to have told investigators
The money was paid to his mother, who would then transfer sums to his bank account in Thailand.The money was paid to his mother, who would then transfer sums to his bank account in Thailand.
When interviewed by investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions and Swansea council, Clancey initially denied doing anything wrong.When interviewed by investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions and Swansea council, Clancey initially denied doing anything wrong.
Mr Allchurch said Clancey told investigators that "many people from the UK living in Thailand were also claiming benefits".Mr Allchurch said Clancey told investigators that "many people from the UK living in Thailand were also claiming benefits".
During interview his mother answered "no comment" to all allegations put to her.During interview his mother answered "no comment" to all allegations put to her.
In mitigation, Simon Howell said both had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.In mitigation, Simon Howell said both had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
He said all the money had been paid back "at a very early stage in the investigation".He said all the money had been paid back "at a very early stage in the investigation".
He said that when Clancey initially started claiming benefits they were genuine.He said that when Clancey initially started claiming benefits they were genuine.
But he said both regretted not having informed authorities of the change in circumstances. He had suffered mental health and drug problems following the death of his brother which meant he could not work, said Mr Howells.
Clancey had initial only gone to Thailand for "two to three" months as part of his recovery, added the solicitor.
But he said both mother and son "had shown genuine remorse" for not having informed authorities of the change in circumstances.