A woman has been convicted of defrauding taxpayers of more than £44,000 by falsely claiming benefits and council tax reductions while concealing her marriage. Judith Blackmore, 64, from Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire, never disclosed her relationship status when she applied for and received Universal Credit and a reduced council tax bill for over six years.
Blackmore, who identifies as an entrepreneur and owns a horsebox refurbishment business, claimed she was single, had no other income, and merely shared a tenancy with another individual. She was overpaid a total of £44,415: £40,023 in Universal Credit and £4,392 in council tax discounts.
The fraud unraveled when Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators discovered numerous photos on Blackmore's Facebook profile depicting her hen do, wedding, and honeymoon in Cyprus. Photos show Blackmore in a blue gown and floral headband at her reception on May 3, 2024, with a caption thanking those who helped make her day special. Just a week prior, she celebrated a "second hen do" with friends, including a champagne-fueled train journey and a day of shopping.
Following her wedding, Blackmore shared images from her honeymoon in Cyprus, documenting stays at an oceanfront resort and enjoying meals, humorously noting she would return to England heavier.
Blackmore admitted to fraud by failing to disclose information to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council between July 1, 2019, and June 17, 2024. She also admitted to a similar offense involving the DWP between September 18, 2018, and June 17, 2024.
Prosecutor Holly Thompson told Hull Crown Court that Blackmore had not disclosed her marital status. An investigation of bank statements revealed significant financial interdependency between Blackmore and her alleged co-tenant, with large sums transferred between their accounts. Records indicated they had presented themselves as a couple to their landlord. Furthermore, social media activity showed Blackmore in a relationship with her co-tenant since August 28, 2013. Investigators also obtained the marriage certificate.
During an interview, Blackmore acknowledged that the concealed information would have impacted her benefits. She stated that while she had lived with her partner since 2011, they were not continuously a couple. Companies House records confirmed her partner was a director of her horsebox business.
Julia Baggs, representing Blackmore, stated that her client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and expressed remorse. Baggs explained that Blackmore had been juggling responsibilities, including caring for her mother and establishing her business, leading her to "bury her head in the sand." Blackmore is currently repaying the fraudulently obtained funds at a rate of £300 per month.
Recorder Richard Wright KC sentenced Blackmore to a 16-month suspended prison sentence and ordered her to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He emphasized the persistent dishonesty over a prolonged period and warned that any further offenses would result in the immediate activation of her suspended sentence.