Secret affair with landlord lands woman in hot water
A SECRET affair landed a mother in court over dishonestly-obtained benefits.
Kathleen Magee was claiming housing benefits for her home in Chaddesden, where she lived with three children, Derby Crown Court was told yesterday.
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Derby Crown Court
She began an affair with Stephen Dolan, married landlord of the property, the court heard.
Magee, 49, went on to have a daughter with Mr Dolan, but failed to report that to officials because she feared their relationship would be revealed, said Adrian Harris, prosecuting.
In benefit forms, she denied anyone in the house was related to the landlord.
This meant she illegally claimed £32,000 in housing and council tax benefit between September 2002 and January 2009.
She admitted that Mr Dolan had been living with her at her Chaddesden home since December 2008, which meant she illegally claimed £955 income support.
Magee, 49, had not lived an extravagant lifestyle but "put a roof over her and her children's heads".
Mark Watson, in mitigation, said that Magee was such a giving person that, prior to their relationship, she had donated one of her kidneys to Dolan.
Imposing a 20-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, Recorder Rachel Brand said: "You have spent your life giving to others but on this occasion you were taking."
She said she would suspend the sentence because Magee had three children.
The Recorder added: "I am not going to order you to pay any costs as I don't think you have any means to.
"But I am going to ask you to pay back to the community as you stole from the public purse."
She was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
Magee, of Keyhaven Close, admitted obtaining money transfers by deception and failing to give notification of a change in circumstances.
10 Comments
by vic, derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 11:09PM
“And I get my claim stopped at the job centre for only being able to apply for 5 jobs not 6. Disgusting.
She did save a man's life though gott give her that.”
by K, derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 4:29PM
“no wonder people fiddle the system, it's obviously very worthwhile and carried no penalty to speak of - 150 hurs community service - I don't know whats worse, her fiddling or the the sentance given, they're both criminal in different ways.”
by Sally, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 2:07PM
“Baz, you could always sleep with your landlord next month if you're still struggling. She did!”
by burtonftw, derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 1:12PM
“i don't condone the actions of this conneiving (sp.) woman, but out of that 32k, just how much is council tax?
all spent on cocaine, booze and strippers.
and the banks still went bust.
aim your fury at the right people please, people.”
by Baz, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 12:19PM
“Now there's a thought...I wonder if my landlord will accept a kidney instead of this month's rent. And then next month, if I am still struggling, I think I've got a liver going spare !!”
by TW, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 11:47AM
“"Magee was such a giving person." I am sure she was... :-)”
by TW, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 11:46AM
“"Magee was such a giving person", I am sure she was... :-)”
by Ed, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 11:21AM
“Could the DET not have provided the property valuation as a handy guide to the class of the people involved? I understand there's a good profit to be made in letting property, Mr Dolan might live in a £400,000 plus home in the catchment area of a very good school.”
by Sally, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 11:10AM
“Dolan should sell one of his houses to pay back what she owes seeing as they're sharing a bed. He knew what she was claiming so he's guilty too.
I wish I could earn £32,995 in 150 hours! Instead it's parasites like this that steal the money i've paid in tax! I'm a single parent but have always earned my own living and paid tax. What's her excuse?”
by Jim, Derby
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 9:20AM
“£32,995 in fraudulent benefit.
150 hours work as punishment.
That's equivalent to £219.97 per hour. Ridiculous. The legal system in this country is beyond a joke.”