Oldham Council faces potential financial losses amounting to thousands owed by the benefit fraudster Christina Pomfrey, who recently passed away. Pomfrey, a grandmother from Runcorn, was sentenced to prison in 2020 after defrauding over £1 million from Oldham (Greater Manchester), Halton (Cheshire) councils, and the Department for Work and Pensions.

At the time of her conviction, 65-year-old Pomfrey had stolen the identities of her sister, daughter-in-law, and her husband’s deceased first wife to facilitate her fraud. Using addresses in both Oldham and Halton Borough Council, she executed her extensive benefit scam.

Details revealed in Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court indicated that Pomfrey was claiming up to £13,000 a month at the peak of her fraudulent activities. Despite claiming to be completely blind, she later admitted to police that she was able to drive, showcasing her deceitfulness.

Pomfrey also falsely claimed that multiple sclerosis (MS) incapacitated her to the extent that she needed assistance with basic daily activities. However, she was caught by surveillance investigators driving, collecting her grandchildren from school, and reading a newspaper.

Upon searching Pomfrey’s home, police discovered precision glue, craft knives, and “four types of tweezers,” which she apparently used to create fraudulent documents. During her arrest, she confessed to being “guilty of everything," suggesting that she had distributed the stolen funds to the needy.

Pomfrey, who expressed relief at being apprehended, claimed that her husband and family were unaware of her crimes, stating, “I have had all the money and that’s it. I’m guilty.” It emerged that she had used some of the embezzled funds for holidays, luxury hotels, dining out, and cosmetic procedures.

After one of the largest social security fraud cases prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Pomfrey admitted guilt to 34 charges, which included fraud and false accounting.

In total, Pomfrey accumulated £1,010,090.35 through various government benefits, including Disability Living Allowance, Universal Credit, and Income Support over 15 years. Her defense attorney, Jeremy Rawson, mentioned that Pomfrey demonstrated remorse through her guilty pleas and struggled with “an alter ego” psychological condition.

During her sentencing in 2020, Judge McKone characterized Pomfrey’s actions as “frankly staggering dishonest.” She received a prison sentence of three years and eight months.

Following her conviction, Halton Council attempted to recover the funds through debt invoices. However, the council has recently been informed of Pomfrey's death.

The total debt owed to Halton amounted to £240,095, which comprised ineligible direct payments of £188,825, housing benefit overpayments of £50,375, and council tax arrears of £895.

Oldham Council has been contacted for further comment on the matter.