Benefit cheat couple from Blackpool who claimed they lived apart exposed by on-line holiday snaps

ITV News

09-07-2025

A benefit-swindling couple who claimed they lived apart to con the taxpayer out of more than £50,000 blew their own cover by posting holiday photos of themselves together online.
Alan Forsythe, 37, and wife Jemma, 36, lived together at their family home in Blackpool between 2019 and 2023, along with their two children and Jemma's children from a previous relationship.
But they were lying to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - claiming they were separated and lived apart.Their lies were exposed when officers at the DWP saw social media posts of holiday photos in which the pair were clearly a married couple.
Preston Crown Court heard how in February 2019, Alan Forsythe made a claim for Universal Credit, claiming he was living alone at a flat in Blackpool. He continued to claim until October 2019, when he closed down the claim, but in January 2022 he signed on again - this time claiming to be a single dad to a child who was living with him.He continued to claim Universal Credit on that basis until July 2023, the court heard. In total, Mr Forsythe claimed £3,182.27 he was not entitled to.His wife Jemma Forsythe, who now uses her maiden name of O'Malley, made a claim with the DWP in June 2020, also claiming to be a single parent.She claimed she was living with her four children but failed to report that her husband was also living at the family home - and working full time. She continued the lie until June 2023, fraudulently claiming £49,007.91, the court heard.Each claimant signed a declaration stating the information they had provided was true, and committing to inform the DWP of any changes in circumstances.
Jemma also had a previous conviction for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, dating back to 2014, the court was told.The DWP launched an investigation and discovered social media posts in which the pair were obviously still a married couple. They made further inquiries, looking at bank statements and credit references, before inviting them to be interviewed in June 2023.On 14 June, Mr Forsythe attended St Annes Jobcentre where he claimed he was 'sofa surfing' after splitting up with Jemma.On 26 June, Mrs Forsythe attended the same Jobcentre and told investigators they had separated but not yet divorced. The pair later pleaded guilty to fraud.
In September 2024, Alan Forsythe was jailed for four years after he was involved in a brutal attack which left a man with life changing injuries. He appeared at Preston Crown Court to face fraud charges on a prison video link.His barrister Anthony Parkinson said he accepted he would face an immediate custodial sentence but was extremely concerned about the impact on his children if their mother was also sent to prison.Mrs Forsythe's barrister, Kira Unsworth, said her client has a strong work ethic and is trying to tackle her debts through her work as a care assistant. She has since separated from her husband and begun divorce proceedings, she added.Sentencing, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: "You were both involved in providing false information to the DWP which affected the benefits you were entitled to. You were a married couple and resided together in your family home."At the time you made these claims you signed declarations but you were not providing accurate information. You were taking from the public purse. Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious."She sentenced Alan Forsythe, of Armistead Court, Fleetwood, to 15 weeks in jail to run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving. However, she said she considered the children's right to a family life when sentencing Mrs Forsythe."You knew it was a criminal offence," she told the mother. "You have a previous conviction and you went on to commit this offence over this period. This was fraudulent activity over a sustained period of 36 months that you were defrauding the DWP."I have heard about the pressure you were under and that you are now working and taking steps to address your mental health. You recognise you need to work on this debt problem."Taking money is not the solution. Your children deserve better than this - this is no example to set them. They are today facing the prospect of both parents being in prison. Their rights are very important to this court."If it wasn't for those children I would be sending you to prison right now. Because of those children I am going to suspend the sentence."She sentenced Mrs Forsythe, of Foxdale Avenue, Blackpool, to 21 months suspended for two years with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirements and a curfew from 9pm to 7am for the next six months.