A 24-Year-Old Mum Illegally Received Money From the DWP After Hiding Important Information She Was Supposed to Tell Them
A 24-year-old mother has admitted illegally receiving benefits after failing to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that two children were no longer living in her care.
Selina Begum, from Frankley, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 13. She had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly failing to disclose information in order to make a financial gain.
The case relates to Universal Credit payments Begum received while the DWP was allegedly not given important information about changes in her family circumstances.
According to the first charge, between October 2023 and October 2024, Begum failed to tell the DWP that one of her children had been removed from her care.
Prosecutors said she had a legal responsibility to inform the DWP about the change because it could affect the amount of Universal Credit she was entitled to receive.
The charge states that she failed to provide the information with the intention of making a financial gain for herself.
The second charge involves another child. It alleges that Begum also failed to inform the authorities about that child’s circumstances between March 2023 and October 2024.
Begum pleaded guilty to both offences when she appeared before the court earlier in the week. However, she was not immediately sentenced and the case was adjourned.
When she returned to Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Begum spoke with a probation officer so that more information could be gathered about her personal circumstances before the judge decides what sentence should be imposed.
Her defence lawyer, David Rees, told the court that he believed Begum could benefit from support and intervention.
District Judge David Murray decided to adjourn the case again and ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
The report will give the court more information about Begum and her circumstances and will help the judge decide on an appropriate sentence.
The judge explained to Begum that the court wanted to learn more about her before making a final decision. He also told her that it was important for her to remain in contact with the probation service.
Begum was allowed to remain on bail while she waits to be sentenced.
The case is expected to return to court later in the year, when the judge will consider the pre-sentence report before deciding what punishment Begum should receive.
