A mum cheated the benefits system out of more than £47k while living with her casino worker partner.
Canasta Dixon, 47, failed to notify the DWP she was sharing her home with David Dixon over a four year period and continued claiming benefits when she was not entitled to. Her partner was employed by Genting Casino and Liverpool Crown Court heard he used her address on Glenfield Close, Prenton, on his bank statements.
When the mum-of-three was quizzed by the Birkenhead Job Centre in November 2019 she admitted to being in a relationship with her partner. She denied they were married and said she had changed her surname to his on her 40th birthday.
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Dixon said he did go to the address, but denied he lived there, said Martyn Walsh, prosecuting. DWP confirmed if they had known Mr Dixon was living there she would have received limited benefits.
Dixon pleaded guilty to two offences of fraud involving falsely claiming employment and support allowance and housing benefit totalling £47,354 after failing to notify a change in circumstances. Michael Bagley, defending, said that Dixon, who has no previous convictions, has separated from her previous partner in 2011.
He told the court: "She has been blighted by poor health throughout her life. She left school at 18 and worked in hospitality. She suffered a broken back through an accident at work in her 20s."
Dixon became a mother shortly after the accident and went on to develop a number of health conditions including fibromyalgia, COPD, heart issues and breast cancer in 2012. Her eldest son was helping look after her and it was decided her partner should move in to support her so her son could concentrate on his studies.
Mr Bagley said because of her ill health she did not immediately notify the authorities about her change in circumstances.
He said: "When she came to turn her mind to reporting it she became concerned she would be in trouble and entered the classic snowballing situation of not properly declaring the position she was in."
He said that she is described as being "a kind person who takes an interest in others."
Judge Andrew Menary, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said that the offences represent "a real loss to the relevant authorities, it was a huge sum of money….It was blatant dishonesty."
He warned her she had come "perilously close to going to prison today" but said he had taken into consideration her health problems and he suspended a six month term of imprisonment for 18 months. He also placed her under supervision for 18 months and ordered her to carry out 10 days rehabilitation activities.
The court heard that repayments are being deducted from her benefits.
