Woman Sentenced for Elaborate £70,000 Benefits Fraud Involving Fake Terminal Illness
A woman has been handed a substantial prison sentence after orchestrating a calculated benefits fraud that saw her dishonestly obtain approximately £70,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Sarah Yarwood, aged 39, deceived authorities by falsely claiming she was terminally ill with cancer and had merely six months to live.
Sustained Deception with Fabricated Medical Evidence
The court heard how Yarwood's scheme involved creating and submitting counterfeit hospital letters and medical records to substantiate her bogus claims. She informed the DWP that she required the financial support "just to get by" due to her supposed dire health condition. When later questioned by police officers, she maintained the deceit, asserting she was "riddled" with cancer and additionally claimed to suffer from multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and Lewy body dementia.
Judge Condemns "Grotesque Lies" and "Breath-taking Audacity"
Sentencing Yarwood to three years and nine months imprisonment, Judge Michael Maher described the fraud as "sustained" and highlighted the "grotesque lies" she told about having a terminal illness. He noted that the seriousness of the financial crime was "eclipsed by your grotesque lies you told about your terminal illness and the bogus medical letters you created."
The judge further criticised the "sheer relentlessness" and detailed layering of her fabricated illnesses, which he said demonstrated "breath-taking" audacity. He remarked that "human sympathy" had unfortunately played a role in the initial failure to properly scrutinise her claims, and labelled Yarwood a "thoroughly unscrupulous individual" who had "milked the system."
Breakdown of Fraudulent Claims and Limited Repayment
The fraudulent benefits obtained comprised:
- Personal Independence Payments (PIP): £27,998
- Universal Credit (UC): £42,157
Despite the substantial sum acquired, the court was informed that Yarwood has only repaid £1,196 of the ill-gotten funds. She is reportedly now £30,000 in debt. In her defence, barrister Niamh Ingham stated that Yarwood wished to convey remorse for her actions and cited her health as a contributing factor for the conduct.
This case underscores the severe consequences of committing deliberate fraud against the public benefits system, particularly through the exploitation of sympathy for serious illness.
