A couple from Weston-super-mare have been sentenced for claiming thousands of pounds in benefits for 16 non existent children. Danny Wilshaw claimed over £75,000 over four years whilst Nancy Stevenson claimed £11,000 in child tax credits over the same period. The couple managed to exploit a loophole in the law after they realised they didn’t have to send children’s birth certificates to tax officials in order to prove their existence. He used the money to fund his gambling habit whilst she used it to buy as many as two bottles of brandy a day. Well, I’m glad my taxes are going to a good cause.
