Selina Begum, a 24-year-old mother from Frankley, has admitted two counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a gain for herself. The charges relate to her failure to inform the DWP about changes in her children's living arrangements while she was in receipt of Universal Credit.
Court Appearance and Charges
Begum appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, August 13, having previously pleaded guilty to the charges. The first offence states that between October 2023 and October 2024, she committed fraud by not informing the DWP that a child had been removed from her care. The charge notes that she was under a legal duty to disclose such information and intended, by that failure, to make a gain for herself.
The second charge contains similar wording but relates to a different child and covers the period between March 2023 and October 2024. Both offences are classified as dishonestly failing to disclose information to make a gain.
Defence and Adjournment
Begum pleaded guilty to both offences at a hearing earlier this week, and the case was adjourned. She returned to court on Thursday and spoke with a probation officer. David Rees, defending, said: "It strikes me she is somebody who would benefit from the intervention team."
District Judge David Murray formally adjourned the case again for the production of a pre-sentence report. He told Begum "we wanted to find out a bit more about you" and advised her to keep in touch with the probation service.
Next Steps
The case was listed for sentence later this year, and Begum was allowed to remain on bail until then.
