Son drew dad’s pension after he died

Jan 30 2008 by Catrin Pascoe, Western Mail

A CHEATING son was facing jail yesterday for pocketing his father’s pension for four years after he died.

Anthony Bubbins, 47, defrauded more than £13,463 by claiming his dad Terence was still alive. Cardiff Crown Court heard his girlfriend Cheryl Foster, 35, posed as a solicitor to confirm Mr Bubbins was still alive.

Former steelworker Terence Bubbins was sent a letter asking him to sign it – and for it to be witnessed by a solicitor.

The reply pretended to have been sent by Mr Bubbins Senior and Foster countersigned it claiming that she was a solicitor. Prosecutor John Probert said, “She then even telephoned the fund to confirm she was a solicitor.”

But the court heard Bubbins was caught out when British Steel pension fund officials investigated the payments – and discovered his father had died in 2002.

Police searched the couple’s address and recovered bank statements for the late Mr Bubbins and discovered that his account was still open.

The court heard Bubbins claimed his solicitor had told him he was still entitled to the money. Bubbins admitted retaining a wrongful credit and fraud by false representation and Foster admitted fraud by false representation.

The couple, from Newport, Gwent, were warned they faced a prison sentence by Judge John Curran who adjourned the case for reports.