Doug Gibson 16/ 3/2005
A DISABLED granny swindled nearly '28,000 in benefits while working for chat-lines which offer sex talk. Kathleen Peterson, who needs a walking stick to get about because of a bad back, chatted to customers for up to six hours a day for more than three years. Peterson, 52, who has six grandchildren, was caught following an investigation by officers of the Department of Works and Pensions.
She hobbled into the dock at Manchester Crown Court and admitted being overpaid nearly '28,000 in benefits. She had to be helped down to the cells to start a 12-month jail term after a judge said the fraud revealed "a sophisticated pattern". Judge Clement Goldstone told her: "For three years you systematically defrauded the Department of Works and Pensions.
"This is a very serious matter and in my judgment its seriousness is aggravated by the length of time over which you pursued the offences, the amount of money involved and the false name you used to obtain employment. "I take into account your remorse, the fact the money was not spent on luxuries but was spent on your family, and that you have difficulties both physically and mentally.
Investigation "I also bear in mind the difficulties and hardship to which various members of your family will be exposed by a loss of liberty. But, as a caring mother and grandmother, you should have thought about it when beginning your long period of dishonesty." Peterson, of Propps Hall Drive, Failsworth, admitted false accounting and failing to notify a change in circumstances and asked for 84 offences of deception to be considered.
Kenneth Grant, prosecuting, said Peterson had been claiming income support and housing and council tax benefits after declaring she was unfit for work. But an investigation revealed that between July 2001 and August 2004 she had worked for two chat-lines which both offer sex chat and tarot reading. David Tempkin, defending, said Peterson only earned '104 a week from her chat-line work and used the money to top-up her benefits, which she spent on her family.
He said she was still in severe pain following an operation 10 years ago to remove two spinal discs, adding: "But she plays a central role in her family and still supports her ex-husband, her children and her grandchildren". In a statement after the case, Anti-Fraud Minister Chris Pond said benefit fraudsters would always face tough penalties to reflect the seriousness of their crimes. After the verdict, Peterson's daughter Laura, 21, said: "It is totally unfair that she has to go to prison for that long. "She is a nice lady and hated doing that sort of work." |
| A police inspector accused of pleasuring himself while phoning women he traced via the force database has been formally cleared of all charges. Baljit Singh, 52, of Leicestershire Police, was alleged to have used his office phone to make the calls.
He denied 17 charges of misconduct in a public office between December 2005 and January 2006.
A judge at Northampton Crown Court ruled, even if true, the alleged crimes did not warrant a criminal charge.
Mr Singh was alleged to have traced 10 different women who had been victims of a number of crimes including domestic violence and harassment.
A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said he had since resigned from the force.
At Northampton Crown Court, Judge Richard Bray ruled there was no case to answer as the allegations did not amount to such a serious case of misconduct to warrant a criminal prosecution... more |
ROCK chick Kelly Osbourne has revealed her mum Sharon has had phone sex with Robbie Williams.
The Osbournes were staying in a Los Angeles hotel when Sharon called her husband Ozzy’s room ? however she accidentally dialled the wrong number and got through to the British singer.
And the sexy red-head didn't realise her mistake until she had divulged much more information than she would have liked.
Thankfully, Robbie saw the funny side and played along with Sharon's lusty lip-service until she realised the man on the other end of the line was not her rocker spouse... more |
Net sex addiction is on the rise!
More and more people are becoming addicted to sex on the internet, say psychologists.
At a conference on sexual addiction in California, experts said online sex addiction was creating a dangerous new compulsion affecting everyone from housewives to gay men and corporate executives... more
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