We are pleased to share an excellent outcome for our client, a senior policy advisor with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who faced two counts of fraud involving £45,000.
Our client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity at Southwark Crown Court. Chloe Carvel of 15NBS, instructed by Lily Purchase, acted on his behalf with strong mitigation. This included his genuine remorse, the personal strain caused by his partner’s serious illness, a psychiatric report and his willingness to repay the DWP.
The Judge recognised the seriousness of the offences but, taking into account the mitigation, imposed a suspended sentence rather than immediate custody.
This outcome shows that with the right legal team, careful preparation, supporting evidence, and an early guilty plea, even serious fraud offences can result in a suspended sentence.
The case received media coverage in the Daily Mail: DWP boss fiddled sick pay — not jailed.