‘Queen of Benefits’ mum of 12 spared jail despite paying for holiday with stolen cash

A MUM-OF-12 dubbed the “Queen of Benefits” narrowly avoided prison today despite paying for a luxury holiday for NINE of her children with stolen cash.

By Paul Harper /

The Prudham family ITV

FAMILY SIZE: Cheryl and Robert Prudham are no longer together after having 12 kids

Shameless Cheryl Prudham, 34, spent more than £2,200 on an all-inclusive trip to Spain using dirty money that her ex-husband Robert Prudham stole in a parking meter fraud.

The work-shy parent, 34, of Warrington, Cheshire, was given the benefits title after raking in more than £40,000 a year and buying lavish gifts for her kids.

Yesterday Robert Prudham, of Maidstone, was caged for 14 months after admitting fraud and stealing from Meteor Parking Ltd between January 4 and February 12, 2014.

Tattooed Prudham, 33, obtained the job as a money collector by making a false declaration to Red Eagle Recruitment Specialist that he was of good character and had no criminal convictions, when he had 18 previous court appearances for 29 offences.

He stole coins and notes from station car parks across Kent, including from Darent Valley Hospital.

SWNS

HIGH LIFE: Cheryl faced a backlash after bragging about using her benefits to fund holidays

Investigators also discovered Cheryl Prudham had paid for the expensive family holiday with regular deposits at Thomson's in Sittingbourne.

She appeared today at Maidstone Crown Court by video link from Warrington Crown Court in Cheshire, where she now lives.

Judge Adele Williams told her: "This offence was in my judgement motivated by greed on your part.”

The court heard Cheryl Prudham, 35, paid an instalment for the 14-day £7,671 holiday to Menorca in Spain in 2014 with some of the stolen money the day after her ex resigned from his job.

Benefits mum: Cheryl Prudham

 
Unemployed Couple Robert and Cheryl Prudham receive around £38,000 a year in benefits for their 12 children. The couple have spent thousands on holidays and designer clothes, here they are with trolley loads of Xmas presents.
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Cheryl Prudham and her family at home SWNS.com
Cheryl Prudham and her family at home in Kent, the family receive £38000 a year in benefits

    She admitted handling £2,241 of the £4,787 her ex-partner admitted siphoning off while working as a money collector, having obtained the job by fraud.

    Mr Prudham was sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended for two years with a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

    Since committing the offences, he has been convicted of harassing his ex-partner, as well as shoplifting.

    Cheryl Prudham sparked fury when she appeared on Channel 5 documentary Benefits: Britain’s Most Shameless Mum, after bragging her family was raking in thousands while splashing out on expensive holidays and designer clothes.

    “I’m addicted to having babies and want to have another one soon,” she said.

    “I don’t think it is anyone’s business – I can have as many children as I want.

    “I’m claiming benefits that the Government have created for me.

    “Why wouldn’t I take advantage of them?”