Benefits cheats swiped £48,500 from DWP despite owning second home worth £170,000

A Welsh couple fraudulently claimed over £48,500 in Universal Credit over four years by failing to disclose ownership of a second property, a court has heard.

At Swansea Crown Court, the judge emphasized that "stealing from the state is not an insignificant matter," while the prosecutor described the benefits application as "fraudulent from the outset."

Brian Rowe, 63, and Frances Rowe, 58, of Vivian Park Drive in Port Talbot, did not reveal that they owned a second home on the same street—valued at around £170,000—which would have made them ineligible for Universal Credit.

Prosecutor Ryan Bowen stated that in February 2019, the Rowes falsely claimed they had savings and investments under £6,000. Just a month after their application was approved, they began receiving benefit payments.

Both had earlier pleaded guilty to failing to report a change in their financial circumstances. The court was told the couple were renting out the second property—registered under Frances Rowe—for £500 a month. Additionally, a housing benefit claim for that property had been made as early as December 2013.

From February 2019 to August 2023, the couple unlawfully received £48,517 in benefits.

Their defense lawyer, Huw Davies, said the couple had re-mortgaged their home to begin repaying the debt. Frances had no prior convictions, while Brian had a single conviction for criminal damage. At the time of the claim, Brian was unable to work due to health issues, leaving Frances as the sole earner.

Thanks to guilty pleas, their sentences were reduced, and they each received a six-month prison term, suspended for two years.