A woman who swindled over £70,000 in benefits over six years has escaped immediate prison after magistrates took mercy due to her mental health and family responsibilities.
Donna Palmer’s £70k benefit fraud
Donna Palmer, 48, from Minsterworth near Gloucester, admitted claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Housing Benefit, and Universal Credit totalling £70,430.05 between January 2017 and November 2023.
Palmer falsely declared she was single and living alone when applying for ESA in 2017. However, an anonymous tip-off in 2022 revealed her partner, Stephen Wheeler, had lived with her for five years and was working. Plus, Palmer allegedly worked at a local pub without declaring earnings.
Benefit blunder exposed
- Investigators found the couple cohabited throughout, making Palmer ineligible for £26,780.96 ESA and £42,184.19 in Housing Benefit.
- An extra £1,464.88 was claimed via Universal Credit with Wheeler, including a child element for Palmer’s daughter, who actually lived with her father and started working in 2023.
- Wheeler received an out-of-court disposal for his role.
The court shows leniency over health and family duties
Palmer’s lawyer painted a picture of a vulnerable woman battling anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and heart risks, relying heavily on her partner for paperwork due to dyslexia and SEN school background.
“She is deeply remorseful and frightened by these proceedings,” said defence solicitor Blaise Shervington.
Palmer is also the main carer for a daughter with osteitis fibrosa, a severe bone condition.
