Benefits cheat blew £50,000 on foreign trips and televisions

Jacqueline Bowers

Jacqueline Bowers, 45, continued to claim income support despite the huge cash windfall, splashing out on European trips as well as flatscreen TVs and a new three-piece suite.

Yesterday, she appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and was told she could face jail unless she carries out a 180-hour community service order.

The court heard that the mum-of-five admitted conning the benefits system out of 7794.21 between January 30, 2008, and May 27 last year by failing to report her savings.

It also heard Mrs Bowers, of The Pleasance in Edinburgh, had no concept of money management and that none of the inherited money was left.

Sheriff Celia Sanderson warned if she does not carry out the community service, she would likely face jail.

Today, Mrs Bowers told the News that since her income support was stopped last September she is "below the poverty line" and has pawned much of her remaining jewellery to keep her head above water.

She had been bequeathed 50,000 from the sale of her late mother's home and gave half the money to her children before blowing the rest within four years. Mrs Bowers claims she had "no idea" she had to declare her inheritance to the benefits department.

"The last year has been hellish," she said. "I haven't had any central heating because I can't get enough money for gas and I can't afford an electric fan heater, so I sit with my dressing gown on and a cover over me.

"In the summer you don't need the heat but it's getting much colder now and I don't know what I'm going to do.

"I'm below the poverty line at the moment and feel like I'm being overly punished.

"They have already punished me by taking away my benefits last year and now they give me 180 hours' community service. I have never had an inheritance before so I didn't realise I had to declare it - I thought I could just spend it. My mum gave me that money to enjoy myself and that's what I did."

But Mrs Bowers said in hindsight she wished she had told authorities about the money and been more frugal. "I wish I hadn't done it and if I had known (that I had to declare it] I wouldn't have done it."

She denied a suggestion in court that she had handed out bundles of 100 notes to neighbours, saying that she had made one 100 loan which had not been paid back.

Since her income support was revoked, Mrs Bowers has been budgeting on a 150-a-month disability living allowance and taken several crisis loans. She also owes a housing association nearly 2500 in unpaid rent.

"I cannot work because I have a bad back and I'm worried about even getting to my community service because I don't have the bus fare."