Feigning dementia and faking father’s death: Pensioner’s £750k scam leaves nation stunned

In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Ethel McGill, infamous for being branded “Britain’s worst benefits cheat,” has been released from prison, raising eyebrows across the nation. The 72-year-old scrounger, who swindled £750,000 through a series of heartless schemes, walked free after serving less than half of her sentence, as reported by Mail Online.

McGill’s audacious and prolonged scam involved concealing her war hero father’s demise in 2004 to pilfer his war pension, totaling a staggering £750,000. The conniving pensioner, described as one of the UK’s most significant benefits cheats during her sentencing hearing, extended her deceit by pretending her late father was still alive for over a decade. Astonishingly, she even roped in a confidante to masquerade under a blanket, posing as her deceased father.

The extent of McGill’s shameless actions didn’t stop there. Over the course of 20 years, she adeptly feigned dementia and mobility issues, exploiting disability allowances and taxpayer funds. McGill’s manipulation of the public purse came to a halt when investigators uncovered her walking and driving activities despite her claims of being confined to a wheelchair.

Jailed in July 2019 for five years and eight months, McGill’s release in the “second half of 2022” has sparked controversy, especially considering she served less than half of her sentence. The circumstances surrounding her early release are now under scrutiny, adding fuel to the public’s outrage.

During her sentencing, Judge Steven Everett expressed disbelief in McGill’s purported illnesses, stating, “Part of your problem is that nobody, including me, believes that you are ill, and that you have been putting this on for years.” He denounced her “breathtaking dishonesty” and highlighted the gravity of exploiting her father’s death for financial gain, remarking, “What a terrible thing to do.”

McGill, who infamously arrived at court with her face concealed in a packet of incontinence pads, faced a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in August 2020, where she was ordered to repay £200,500. Her failure to meet the 12-week deadline resulted in an additional eight months in jail, emphasizing the unrepentant nature of her actions.

Ethel McGill’s release has ignited public discourse on the effectiveness of the justice system and the repercussions for those who exploit the welfare system, leaving many questioning the fairness of her early departure from incarceration.