Mother jailed after claiming for nine fictitious children

A mother of six has been jailed for fraudulently claiming tax credits for nine fictitious children following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Kerry Melia, of Tipton in the West Midlands, swindled £62,243 after adding three fictitious children to her tax credit claims in January 2007, saying they were her foster children.

The 30-year-old then tried to add another six non-existent children. When HMRC officers searched her house for evidence of fraud, they discovered exotic pets including a number of cockatiels, terrapins and a large snake, as well as dead mice in the freezer to feed it.

Having already admitted to tax credits fraud at a previous hearing, Melia was sentenced to eight months in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

David Gauke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said: "The Government will not tolerate dishonest people stealing public money which pays for vital services. This sentence shows that those who think they can cheat the benefits system should think again.

"The extra £900m we have invested in HMRC will allow them to carry on the fight against benefit cheats and tax fraudsters."

Melia first claimed tax credits for her five real children in 2005 and she had a sixth child after being charged with fraud.