A FRAUDSTER who stole nearly �30,000 in state benefits claimed she was pressured into the deception by her deceased husband.

Simon Tomlinson

A FRAUDSTER who stole nearly �30,000 in state benefits claimed she was pressured into the deception by her deceased husband.

Kim Loveday, from Churchman Close, Woodbridge, admitted the fraud but said it was a consequence of her marriage to Barrie, which was “controlling” and “built on lies”.

Ipswich Crown Court heard yesterday how she was led to believe her husband's fantasies that he was a lawyer for the Queen's Counsel and a member of the SAS - even though he lived in a council house.

Mr Loveday, who died last year, also forced her to sign benefit forms and forged her signature on occasions, she said.

The scam took place while Loveday, 53, worked as a telesales operator between October 1997 and August 2005.

During this time, she made claims for income support and incapacity benefit for her depression, which she claims she has suffered for around 30 years.

Prosecutor Alex Rooke said: “In all the forms put forward she claimed not to be working but it appears she was well enough to work. Over the period she received in excess of �27,907.67.”

Loveday has paid back the state more than �600 and is paying �9 a week out of her unemployment benefit.

Mr Rooke added: “If she were to pay it all off, she would be 100 years old.”

Mr Loveday was jointly charged with the offence but he passed away in August last year.

Lynn Shirley, mitigating, said Mr Loveday would give his wife forms to sign and become irritable if she didn't comply.

She said: “It seems her marriage to Mr Loveday was a sham and built on lies.

“It was a controlling relationship. She felt she had no option but to sign the form. It was a marriage she trusted implicitly but he had betrayed it and left her in this position.”

Sentencing Loveday, Judge Neil McKittrick said: “It could be regarded as convenient to blame this individual because he is dead, but it is my view that you are not seeking to minimise your own responsibilities.”

Loveday received an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years.