The holiday photo that exposed couple's £50,000 benefits scam

A husband and wife pair of benefit scroungers who conned taxpayers out of over £52,000 were undone - after sharing their holiday photos online. Alan Forsythe, 37, and wife Jemma, 36, claimed for years they were living separate lives when secretly residing together in their family home in Blackpool, Lancs, with their two kids - and her two from a previous relationship.

Preston Crown Court was told Alan Forsythe claimed for Universal Credit, saying he was living alone at a flat and then later as a single dad. Wife Jemma also claimed to be a single parent and never told staff she was also working full time. Yet in 2023, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigation was eventually launched after staff saw social media posts of them clearly being a married couple and enjoying holidays as a family.

Now Alan Forsythe has been jailed for 15 weeks while his wife was given a 21-month suspended sentence, after the judge considered her children's right to a family life when sentencing her.

In September 2024, Alan Forsythe was jailed for four years after he was involved in a brutal attack that left a man with life-changing injuries, so he appeared to face fraud charges on a prison video link.

Judge Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: "You were both involved in providing false information to the DWP, which affected the benefits you were entitled to. You were a married couple and resided together in your family home.

"At the time you made these claims, you signed declarations, but you were not providing accurate information. You were taking from the public purse. Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious."

She told Jemma Forsythe: "You knew it was a criminal offence.

"You have a previous conviction, and you went on to commit this offence over this period. This was fraudulent activity over a sustained period of 36 months that you were defrauding the DWP.

"I have heard about the pressure you were under and that you are now working and taking steps to address your mental health. You recognise you need to work on this debt problem.

"Taking money is not the solution. Your children deserve better than this - this is no example to set them. They are today facing the prospect of both parents being in prison. Their rights are very important to this court.

"If it wasn't for those children, I would be sending you to prison right now. Because of those children, I am going to suspend the sentence."

The court heard how in February 2019, Alan Forsythe made a claim for Universal Credit, claiming he was living alone at a flat in Blackpool.

He continued to claim until October 2019, when he closed down the claim, but in January 2022, he signed on again - this time claiming to be a single dad to a child who was living with him.

He continued to claim Universal Credit on that basis until July 2023, the court was told. In total, Mr Forsythe claimed £3,182.27 that he was not entitled to.

Jemma Forsythe, who now uses her maiden name of O'Malley, made a claim with the DWP in June 2020, also claiming to be a single parent.

She claimed she was living with her four children but failed to report that her husband was also living at the family home and working full time. She continued the lie until June 2023, fraudulently claiming £49,007.91, the court was told.

Each claimant signed a declaration stating the information they had provided was true, and committing to inform the DWP of any changes in circumstances.

Mrs Forsythe also has a previous conviction for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, dating back to 2014.

The DWP launched an investigation and discovered social media posts in which the pair presented themselves as a married couple.

They made further inquiries, looking at bank statements and credit references, before inviting them to be interviewed in June 2023.

On June 14, 2023, Alan Forsythe attended St Annes Jobcentre where he claimed he was "sofa surfing" after splitting up with his wife.

On June 26, 2023, Jemma Forsythe attended the same jobcentre and told investigators they had separated but not yet divorced. However, despite their claims, the pair later pleaded guilty to fraud.

Anthony Parkinson, mitigating for Alan Forsythe, said he accepted he would face an immediate custodial sentence but was extremely concerned about the impact on his children if their mother was also sent to prison.

Jemma Forsythe's barrister, Kira Unsworth, said her client has a strong work ethic and is trying to tackle her debts through her work as a care assistant. She has since separated from her husband and begun divorce proceedings, she added.

Jemma Forsythe was sentenced to 21 months, suspended for two years, with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirements and a curfew from 9pm to 7am for the next six months.