A MAN who claimed more than £11,000 in benefits while living in Thailand for 18 months was helped by his teacher mother, a court has heard.

Thomas Clancy, aged 31, even got married while living overseas.

His mother Ellen Lloyd, aged 56, a teacher at Pontybrenin primary in Gorseinon, would fill in his claim forms and send them to him to sign.

Both admitted three charges relating to benefit fraud at Swansea Magistrates’ Court.

John Allchurch, prosecuting on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions and Swansea Council, said Clancy, of Landore Drive, Loughor, moved to Thailand in August 2005 and did not return until February 2007.

He said Clancy had been claiming income support since October 1996, severe disablement allowance since May 1997, and housing and council tax benefits since August 2000.

In relation to those benefits, he failed to inform the authorities of a change in his circumstances, namely that he had left the UK and was living in Thailand.

Clancy admitted three such offences and his mother admitted three counts of failing to ensure he notified a change of circumstances.

Mr Allchurch said benefits were paid into Lloyd’s account and she transferred those moneys to her son’s bank account in Thailand. Council tax and housing benefit review forms were sent out in relation to those benefits.

She sent him those forms with the boxes already filled in by her ready for him to sign.

When interviewed by investigators Clancy said there were many people living in Thailand who were claiming benefits.

The court was told the offences had resulted in an overpayment of £11,268 in benefits. All that money has since been repaid.

Solicitor Simon Howell, representing them both, said Lloyd, of Pentre Niklaus Village, Llanelli, had been married with three sons aged seven, four and three when her husband left her.

In 1995 her eldest son, James, died during an asthma attack. His death left Thomas devastated. He had already been affected by his parents’ marriage breakdown.

“He went completely off the rails into a world of drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness,” said Mr Howell.

He went through a period of self-harming, criminal offending, threats of suicide and temper tantrums resulting in him smashing up cars, TV sets and phones.

Twice he went into rehab and for a time he was an in-patient at Cefn Coed Hospital.

“She was at her wits’ end,” Mr Howells said of Lloyd.

“She is a loving mother who had already lost one son and she had a desperate fear she would lose another. She did everything in her power to assist and support her son.”

Lloyd bought a chalet in Limeslade as a safe place for him to live away from others with a similar self-destructive lifestyle.

At that time he was making genuine claims for benefits.

Following successful rehab in August 2005, he went to stay with a friend in Thailand. His mother supported him. He had come off alcohol and drugs and by going to Thailand he would be well away from former associates.

The housing benefit paid in relation to the chalet was used to fund the mortgage. Lloyd had been determined he should have a safe house to return to. Mr Howells said of the offending: “She really just closed herself to the seriousness of the situation she was in and the potential consequences of that.”

He said Clancy, who got married in Thailand, returned to Wales in January 2007. He worked for a time on a pipeline project before becoming a minibus driver.

However, on March 6 of this year, he was convicted of possessing ecstasy, Valium and amphetamine, for which he was fined £200.

Mr Howells said he relapsed last December and began taking drugs again. However, he is now drug-free again.

The two-year benefit fraud investigation has taken it’s toll on Lloyd’s health, and she is off work ill.

“This is a woman who is  highly regarded by many people and it is really very sad to see her before the court,” said Mr Howells.

Lloyd was fined £750 and Clancy was made subject to 12 months’ supervision during which time he will have the support of local drugs agencies. Both will have to pay £75 costs.