Lotto winner jailed over benefit fraud
Last Updated: Wednesday 5th January 2011, 11:09
Often we hear stories about benefit claimants who continue to claim even after a lottery win, however this week a lotto winner has been jailed over failing to declare a massive scratchcard win. Rachael Ream, 27, mother of two children and her pal Tracey Hudson shared a £77,777 scratchcard win back in 2008, yet despite the win, Ms Ream failed to declare her winnings and continued to claim benefits.
Over the course of almost two years, Ms Ream claimed almost £7,000 in Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support, despite the fact that she had shared a £77,777 scratchcard win. Ms Ream has now been sentenced to 3 months in prison for not declaring the win, while her friend has been released on appeal.
Often we hear stories on the lottery news pages about lottery winners who have continued to claim benefits. But this is the first time we have heard of one going to jail. We don’t know why Ms Ream continued to claim, she now says the lottery win has ‘ruined her life’ and she ‘wishes she had never won the money’. Surely coming off benefits and using it to live on would have been a better option, and the chosen one for many who must wonder who a windfall like this could possibly ruin anyone’s life.
If you’re buying lottery tickets for tomorrow’s National Lottery draw then there’s a massive £4.4 million up for grabs, providing you don’t mind having your life ruined of course!
