Brothers’ Shady DNA Swap to Dodge Child Maintenance
Gary Lewis, 25, and his brother Robert, 24, from Potternewton, Leeds, pulled off a cheeky stunt to avoid child maintenance payments, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed.
Fake DNA Test Sparks Investigation
Both mothers applied to the Child Maintenance Group (CMG) naming Gary as the father. When a DNA test was requested, Gary dodged the lab by sending Robert in his place for testing at Alwoodley Medical Centre.
Robert’s sample, passed off as Gary’s, showed he wasn’t the dad — but a relative of the children’s. Suspicious, the authorities launched a probe.
Brothers Busted and Sent to Court
Police linked the DNA sample to Robert, and both were arrested on 20 November 2019. They refused to comment during interviews but the evidence stacked up.
Gary declined to provide another DNA sample and was hit with a Presumption of Paternity Notice.
On 4 February 2022, both brothers pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to conspiracy to defraud. Gary copped 15 months in jail. Robert got a nine-month suspended sentence plus 80 hours unpaid work and 10 days of rehab activities.
Prosecutor Slams Dodgy Duo
“If Gary and Robert had gotten away with their scam, Gary would have dodged responsibility for his kids. Worse, the children would never have known who their father was,” said Senior Crown Prosecutor Simon Tunnicliffe. “These women simply wanted support for their children’s upbringing. But Gary had no plans to chip in, so he and Robert went to great lengths to avoid paying.” “Now, Gary Lewis is behind bars. It’s baffling how they thought they could get away with this. Child maintenance is vital, and the CMG works closely with the CPS to catch dodgers.”
