A KENYAN fraudster stole more than £26,000 in a four-year benefit scam – despite being denied permission to stay in the UK
Lucy Mbugua was convicted of three offences of dishonestly claiming taxpayers’ cash while having no right to be in Britain.
But unbelievably, after being charged over her crimes, she has been allowed to stay in the country.
The 40-year-old mother was found guilty in her absence and also failed to turn up to be sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
A warrant was issued for Mbugua’s arrest – but she was later tracked down to her home in Selly Oak, Birmingham, before police caught up with her.
She claimed she failed to attend court because of childcare issues, but would not comment further on the case.
Her convictions were welcomed by Birmingham City Council.
The Home Office refused to explain how Mbugua was allowed to remain in the UK to commit the crimes despite having exhausted all her legal appeal options.
Magistrates heard she fraudulently claimed £24,479,09 in housing benefit and £1,829.48 in council tax benefit between September 17, 2009 and August 13, 2013.
But the court was told she was not granted permission to stay in the country until last December.
She secured the three-year visa on the grounds of having a right to a family life
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