A FORMER director of a property business fraudulently claimed more than £55,000 of Universal Credit.

Stephanie Williams, 51, of Rhosmaen in Llandeilo, was charged with dishonestly making a false statement to obtain benefits.

Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini told Swansea Crown Court that Williams claimed Universal Credit for herself and her three dependent children between 2020 and 2022.

Williams did not declare her assets when she made the application. She claimed that she had no income and held capital of £1,000 – which was incorrect.

This led to an overpayment of £55,449.12, Ms Carpanini said.

“Her assets were over three times that made in the original claim,” Ms Carpanini said, with this later rising to over four-and-a-half times.

The court heard that Williams had four bank accounts and had subsequently made investments in a series of properties. 

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Williams had three previous convictions for three offences, but at the time of her fraudulent claim she only had one of these.

“The bank schedule shows significant amounts of money which should have been declared,” Williams’ defence counsel admitted.

He said that Williams had “an emotional breakdown” following a family tragedy.

After she made the fraudulent application, a series of properties were bought by Teilo Properties Ltd – of which Williams was person with significant control – in the following months.

“The first of those properties was her grandmother’s house left to her,” her counsel said.

“In Teilo Properties, she took very much a back seat.”

Addressing Williams, Judge Geraint Walters said: “Instinctively, one takes this view: How arrogant can somebody be to be milking the state when she is very very flush? But it’s not as simple as that.

“At the time you first made the representation, your assets and your income was somewhat limited.

“It’s the acquiring of properties after that that makes it look pure greed.

“At or about the time when this offence arose, you engaged effectively an emotional breakdown.

“Effectively your world imploded.”

Williams was sentenced to eight months, suspended for two years. She must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings have been launched to try to recover the fraudulently obtained public funds. Williams will return to court on December 6.