UK NEWS

'MYSTIC' WAS BENEFIT CHEAT

WHODUNNIT: Boss of murder myster firm was also a benefits cheat

Saturday July 4,2009

By Chris Riches

INVESTIGATORS solved their own “whodunnit” when they uncovered that the boss of a murder mystery firm was a benefits fiddler.

They secretly filmed actress Edwina Stocker, 57, playing the role of a mystic who would race round the room and guess who the killer was.

Enthralled audiences in Blackpool would take part in the show by playing characters and trying to put Stocker’s character – called The Oracle – off the scent.

But Department of Work and Pensions investigators soon uncovered her own secret.

The boss of the In The Dark Murder Company was illegally raking in benefits, claiming she was too paralysed to walk, was agoraphobic and suffered from vertigo and panic attacks.

Yesterday she escaped jail at Preston Crown Court after admitting pocketing £10,600 in state handouts.

The court heard she ran her seaside murder mystery events for tourists under her stage name Rosemary Devine.

DWP inspectors posed as tourists to discover Stocker was producing and directing the entertainment while receiving mobility and disability allowances.

They secretly filmed her strolling around and interacting with audience members, totally contradicting the information given on her benefits claim form.

Her company also held X Factor- style competition evenings in which she danced in stiletto heels. On top of her entertainment work, she ran an eBay account selling clothing.

Sophie Cartwright, defending, said: “She is apologetic and remorseful.”

Stocker was given an 18 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months.