Mother shaved son's head and eybrows to make him look like he had cancer in benefits scam

A 36-year-old Gloucestershire mother is accused of shaving her young son’s head and eyebrows to fool people into believing that the boy had cancer. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to shaved his hair to make it look like he was having chemotherapy. It is claimed she then forged documents, including medical and school forms, to claim almost £100,000 in benefits, including disability living allowance and carers’ allowance, over a seven-year period.

The mother faces two charges of child cruelty to children - now aged nine and seven - between January 2008 and May 2010, when she appeared before Gloucester magistrates on Tuesday. Gloucester Magistrates Court was told how the mother allegedly forged notes by and between doctors which were used for her allegedly fraudulent claims. She is accused of preventing the boy and his seven-year-old sister from taking part in school activities as they thought they were too unwell. Prosecuting solicitor Peter Ashby said: “This is clearly a serious case. It is said to be an organised and prolonged fraud.


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“The defendant is alleged to have used her own two children to fraudulently obtain benefits. She is alleged to have forged medical and school documents to indicate that two of her children were substantially ill, one with cancer. She allegedly shaved her son’s head and eyebrows to convince people that he was undergoing chemotherapy. The children were not allowed to participate in normal school activities as a result and her son allegedly was led to believe that he had cancer.

“The allegation is that for a period of seven years benefits amounting to almost £100,000 were fraudulently claimed.” Defending solicitor David Brown said: “My client does not wish to indicate pleas to the charges.” Magistrates declined jurisdiction and adjourned the case until December 2 for committal papers to be prepared for trial at Gloucester Crown Court at a date to be fixed. The mother was granted unconditional bail. The identity of the defendant has been withheld to protect the identities of the two alleged victims.