'Devious' mother jailed over £80,000 benefits fraud

A "devious, calculating" mother-of-three fraudulently claimed over £80,000 in benefits despite living outside the UK, a council said today.

Devi Luckhee, 33, was jailed for 15 months at Basildon Crown Court yesterday after being caught claiming the cash while living in Paris, Havering Council said.

She falsely claimed benefits at two homes in Romford and others in Redbridge, and Barking and Dagenham between 2003 and 2009.

When she was arrested police found she had several forged tenancy agreements and a diary detailing trips to and from France.

Councillor Eric Munday said: "This devious, calculating woman defrauded a number of authorities and it's thanks to our investigators that she was caught.

"Benefit fraud takes money out of the pockets of all taxpayers and reduces our ability to provide services to residents."

Mrs Luckhee worked for three-and-a-half months at a restaurant in Romford while claiming support and her ex-husband Jayant Ramchurn earned money at Hovis for 14 months in 2005, the local authority said.

She also received benefits worth 400 to 700 euros per month in the French capital, where she lived in a council house.

Havering Council said she claimed a total of £80,750 comprised of income support, child benefit and housing and council tax payments.

She admitted three counts of dishonestly failing to notify changed circumstances, two counts of obtaining property by deception, one of dishonestly making false statements or representation, and one of dishonestly producing false documentation.