Jailed council worker Lucy Parker who used 20 fake IDs to swindle £275k in benefits ordered to pay money back by summer

A COUNCIL worker who fraudulently claimed more than £275,000 in benefits has been ordered to repay the full amount.

Lucy Parker used a total of 20 fake identities to swindle thousands of pounds over a six-year period, spending the money on luxury holidays and a private school education for her children.

She was jailed for two- and-a-half years at Warwick Crown Court last April after the Department for Work and Pensions uncovered her sophisticated scam to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit.

Parker, 56, originally from Stratford and more latterly Barby, Northamptonshire, worked in the admin department at the University of Warwick and the social care department at Warwickshire County Council. She is married to the National Farmers’ Union’s head of tax.

She used forged documents including bogus doctor’s letters and tenancy agreements for her false identities.

Following sentencing last year, a Proceeds of Crime timetable was set by the court, and this week she was ordered to repay everything she stole. Her house has since been sold and she will now be required to pay the order within three months.

Minister for Welfare Delivery David Rutley said: “It’s despicable that this individual lied so brazenly, using multiple fake identities to steal money from those who need it, and it is right that she has been ordered to pay the money back in full.

“Our fraud investigators are committed to bringing benefit cheats like these to justice – so fraudsters should not think they can get away with lying to us, because we will find them.”

Parker set up at least 20 fraudulent claims for benefits, using genuine identities of people without their consent or knowledge, including setting up online bank accounts and false identity documents. Suspicions were first raised of Parker’s crimes when a member of DWP staff who recognised her under one name saw her attending a different Jobcentre using another alias. Parker was then sentenced last year to 30 months’ imprisonm