Married gipsy said she was single in £63k con

A married gipsy with nine children from South Staffordshire has admitted illegally claiming £63,000 in benefits by pretending to be a single mum – despite living with her husband.

Chavelle Price claimed she was a single mum when she was actually living with her husband Patrick Dunne on a site that featured on Channel 4's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding last year.

The 33-year-old had claimed income support saying she was unable to work due to a shoulder injury and stating that she was single.

But she was caught out when planning applications made to South Staffordshire Council to expand the gipsy site in Coven Heath for her husband's family were made in both of their names.

The couple have previously successfully challenged South Staffordshire Council when it refused to let them set up caravans on green belt land.

Price had also told the Department for Work and Pensions that she was living in her parent's caravan and had split up with her husband in 1997.

But all of her children were born between 1997 and 2008 and Mr Dunne's name is on their birth certificates as their father.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday that Price had told investigators that due to their strict Roman Catholic faith Mr Dunne had given her permission to put his name on the certificates.

Mr Harbinder Lally QC, prosecuting, indicated that the prosecution would be seeking compensation from Price under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Price has previous convictions for fraudulently obtaining goods in 2003 and 2001.

The Dunne family have been on the land, which currently includes a mobile home, two touring vans and a day building, since 2002.

Price will be sentenced on October 12.