Hatfield mother claims benefits for dead child
A MOTHER who claimed nearly �8,000 in the name of her dead toddler has avoided jail. Hatfield mum-of-two Kelechi Mbaeri was a student nurse and claimed for a bursary from the NHS for her two children to attend nursery. But Mbaeri's daughter
A MOTHER who claimed nearly �8,000 in the name of her dead toddler has avoided jail.
Hatfield mum-of-two Kelechi Mbaeri was a student nurse and claimed for a bursary from the NHS for her two children to attend nursery.
But Mbaeri's daughter Somtochukwu died on February 14, 2007.
The 36-year-old, from Stockbreach Road, faced magistrates in St Albans and pleaded guilty to obtaining money by deception and two charges of fraud.
Magistrates agreed custody was needed as a large amount of money was involved and this was a sustained offence.
They also said she quite deliberately used the name of a dead child to obtain money.
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They ordered her to serve 16 weeks in prison, but suspended the sentence for 12 months.
She was ordered to pay back �2,000 in compensation to the NHS.
* For reaction to her sentence see today's Welwyn & Hatfield Times.