Fraud mother to pay back cash

CUSTOMS officers have vowed to make a mother-of-two pay back more than £38,000 that she was paid in tax credits after she falsely claimed she was caring for 15 children she didn't have.

Asima Faisal, aged 27, from Jubilee Avenue, Etruria, was jailed for 12 months on Friday at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after admitting making fraudulent tax credit claims for more than £38,000 on forms and a telephone helpline.

Fourteen of the children's names for whom she claimed were fictitious. Another was that of a young girl who received treatment at Specsavers in Longton, where Faisal worked.

Her husband, 27-year-old Faisal Mahmood, of Kimberley Road, Etruria, pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property and was jailed for six months.

Dawn Cartwright, senior investigating officer for HM Revenue and Customs, said a Confiscation Order will now be pursued to reclaim the money.

Related content: Mum claimed benefit for 15 fake children