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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Geoffrey Sturdey: Three sentenced on burial charges | Geoffrey Sturdey: Three sentenced on burial charges |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two women who failed to report the death of a man and went on to claim his benefits have been jailed for 20 months. | Two women who failed to report the death of a man and went on to claim his benefits have been jailed for 20 months. |
| Geoffrey Sturdey, of Beth Berith, Tregaron, Ceredigion, was 60 when he disappeared in October 2008. | Geoffrey Sturdey, of Beth Berith, Tregaron, Ceredigion, was 60 when he disappeared in October 2008. |
| His widow Rebekah Sturdey, 56, and friend Boqer-Ore Adie, 43, admitted preventing his burial and fraudulently claiming £77,318 of his benefits. | His widow Rebekah Sturdey, 56, and friend Boqer-Ore Adie, 43, admitted preventing his burial and fraudulently claiming £77,318 of his benefits. |
| Karmel Adie, 25, was given a suspended sentence for preventing his burial. | Karmel Adie, 25, was given a suspended sentence for preventing his burial. |
| All three are from Beth Berith, Tregaron. | All three are from Beth Berith, Tregaron. |
| Swansea Crown Court heard the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began investigating after staff noticed money in Boqer-Ore Adie's account exceeded her benefits amount. | Swansea Crown Court heard the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began investigating after staff noticed money in Boqer-Ore Adie's account exceeded her benefits amount. |
| Between October 2008 and 2012 Boqer-Ore Adie and Sturdey unlawfully claimed £21,718 in disability living allowances, £9,415 in carer's allowance, £10,143 income support and £36,041 in pension credits. | Between October 2008 and 2012 Boqer-Ore Adie and Sturdey unlawfully claimed £21,718 in disability living allowances, £9,415 in carer's allowance, £10,143 income support and £36,041 in pension credits. |
| Sturdey, who was referred to in court as Ladan rather than Rebekah, told investigators her husband had left the country to travel Europe. | Sturdey, who was referred to in court as Ladan rather than Rebekah, told investigators her husband had left the country to travel Europe. |
| But the investigators later found he did not have a valid passport. | But the investigators later found he did not have a valid passport. |
| A specialist team of officers searched land at Beth Berith last year and found Mr Sturdey's body buried near a rockery. | A specialist team of officers searched land at Beth Berith last year and found Mr Sturdey's body buried near a rockery. |
| He had died of natural causes. | He had died of natural causes. |
| More than £6,000 in cash and handwritten notes were also found indicating the time and date of his death. | More than £6,000 in cash and handwritten notes were also found indicating the time and date of his death. |
| The documents claimed Mr Sturdey had chosen his own burial plot and the women buried him in it immediately after his death. | The documents claimed Mr Sturdey had chosen his own burial plot and the women buried him in it immediately after his death. |
| Shortly after he died Boqer-Ore Adie made inquiries about buying gold worth £15,000, the court was told. | Shortly after he died Boqer-Ore Adie made inquiries about buying gold worth £15,000, the court was told. |
| The women were arrested in June 2013 and refused to co-operate with police. | The women were arrested in June 2013 and refused to co-operate with police. |
| 'Enrich yourself' | 'Enrich yourself' |
| Christopher James, defending Sturdey, said the widow had expressed remorse and regret for her actions. | Christopher James, defending Sturdey, said the widow had expressed remorse and regret for her actions. |
| Carina Hughes, representing Boqer Ore-Adie, said the women simply intended to carry out Mr Sturdey's wishes. | Carina Hughes, representing Boqer Ore-Adie, said the women simply intended to carry out Mr Sturdey's wishes. |
| Judge Paul Thomas said the pair had taken advantage of Mr Sturdey's death to claim benefits they were not entitled to. | Judge Paul Thomas said the pair had taken advantage of Mr Sturdey's death to claim benefits they were not entitled to. |
| "Whatever your intention for burying on your land without notifying the authorities, it gave you the opportunity to enrich yourself at the expense of the rest of us," he said. | |
| "Although there is no suggestion of foul play, there is a clear public interest in deterring people from acting as you have, the three of you. | "Although there is no suggestion of foul play, there is a clear public interest in deterring people from acting as you have, the three of you. |
| "His body was only discovered after an expensive police search, with you three having refused to co-operate. | "His body was only discovered after an expensive police search, with you three having refused to co-operate. |
| "You could have said quite easily said where his body was to save the public from even more expense." | "You could have said quite easily said where his body was to save the public from even more expense." |
| Adie was given a nine month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 150 hours unpaid work. | Adie was given a nine month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 150 hours unpaid work. |