Wills and probate system abused by mother

A mother of two has abused the wills and probate system by hiding an inheritance payout to claim state benefits.

Thisislincolnshire.co.uk reported that Samantha Bennie claimed £46,000 worth of money in housing benefit and income support and put the £43,000 inheritance she received from her grandmother in her partner's bank account.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that Ms Bennie did not inform the Department of Work and Pensions that she had received the amount and was only caught when the organisation looked at her bank transactions.

Ms Bennie, of Doddington Park, admitted that between August 2004 and July 2008 she had twice failed to tell the authorities about alterations in her circumstances while she was receiving financial assistance from them.

The defendant is now repaying £46,000 back gradually every month. She also has to carry out unpaid work for 100 hours and has received a nine-month jail sentence that will be suspended for 18 months.

Furthermore, John Wright was jailed this month after conning two brothers out of the £30,000 inheritance that they received through probate, Thisissouthdevon.co.uk reported.

Published by Hannah Carr