Daughter stole £20k in benefits from elderly mother

Janet Davies helped herself to money under the guise that it was for her elderly mother

A woman who stole almost £20,000 from her elderly mother after applying for a government benefit on her behalf has been sentenced.

Janet Davies set up payments for attendance allowance, provided to elderly disabled people who need extra support to live independently, without her mother's knowledge or permission, Cheshire Police said.

The 65-year-old then helped herself to the money after it was paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Davies, of Great King Street in Macclesfield, Cheshire, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Chester Crown Court after admitting retaining a wrongful credit.

The court heard Davies had fraudulently received payments totalling £19,577.45, between 2017 and 2021.

Following her sentencing, Det Sgt Laura Fox of Cheshire Police, said: "Davies knowingly took advantage of her elderly mother to commit audacious acts whilst in a position of trust.

"She should have been managing and supporting her vulnerable mother's finances, not exploiting them for her own financial gain."