Disgraced woman faked terminal cancer to get over £22K in benefits
27.10.2023 - 19:59
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A disgraced conwoman fleeced the taxpayer out of £22,000 after faking terminal cancer.
Lesley Clarke pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and forgery at Liverpool Crown Court after a hospital probe uncovered her lies.
The 62-year-old pocketed £22,962 in benefits over a period of three years, from March 2016 until April 2019, from pretending she was receiving gruelling treatments for ovarian cancer.
Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said Clarke's "sophisticated" fraud operation began on March 16 2016, when she informed authorities she had terminal ovarian cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy and taking medication, reports the Echo.
On August 9 2016, in support of her claim, she presented forged documents which she said came from Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, confirming she was unfit to work. On November 29 2016 Clarke served a PIP review document saying she was still undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and was taking medication for her cancer.
On July 24, 2017 the DWP received another forged report, purported to be from Clatterbridge Hospital, stating Clarke was unfit for work. This was followed by another forged 'unfit for work' letter on August 10 2017. On January 3, 2018 Clarke presented to the DWP another PIP review in which she stated her cancer had grown and that she was receiving increased treatment.
Mr Roberts said: "The fraud came to light on the back of a tip-off, and was investigated by the DWP. The documents supplied by Clarke were sent to Clatterbridge Hospital, they were checked and confirmed to be false. The consultant that was quoted by her was in fact retired.
"Clarke's medical history was obtained and she was found to have no history of cancer or any illness of a similar nature between 2016 and 2020.
"In