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Benefit Fraudster Avoids Immediate Jail Despite £70,000 Fraudulent Claims

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 benefitfraud employmentandsupportallowance universalcredit housingbenefit courtcase mentalhealth rehabilitation sentencing welfarefraud dwp

Donna Palmer, 48, from Minsterworth, Gloucester, has been convicted for committing benefit fraud amounting to over £70,000 but avoided immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty. The Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court revealed that Palmer made deceitful claims involving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Housing Benefits, and Universal Credit over several years. Between January 2017 and November 2023, Palmer fraudulently claimed £70,430.05—comprising £26,780.96 in ESA and £42,184.19 in Housing Benefits. Moreover, she and her partner, Stephen Wheeler, submitted a joint Universal Credit claim totaling £1,464.