Mum faked son’s illness for benefits

A MOTHER claimed £130,000 (€142,000) in benefits by pretending her son was “one of the sickest children in Britain”, giving him false medication and forcing him to have surgery.

Detective Constable Mark Uren, who led the investigation, said after today’s hearing at Exeter Crown Court that the woman had “manipulated highly regarded medical professionals” to con the public purse.

He said the 35-year-old claimed £20,000 a year in disability living allowance for six and a half years by forcing her young son to be fed through a tube.