Mercedes Bradley

Mercedes Bradley Mercedes Bradley Facebook Profile Photo
Born	11th September 1990 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, UK
Residence	Cinderford, Gloucestershire, UK
Nationality	British
Occupation	Flight Attendant (until conviction)
Height	170
Criminal charge	Benefit Fraud - Social Security Fraud Act 2001 - Offence of failing to notify a change of circumstances
Criminal penalty	150 hours unpaid work, repayment of £9,147.11 from Proceeds of Crime act plus court costs
Criminal status	Convicted

Mercedes Bradley from Cinderford, Gloucestershire is a former flight attendant and convicted benefits fraudster. The crime was reported on extensively, including on by the BBC and a number of national newspapers. The story included a report of a secret bank account containing nearly £50,000 and details of lavish spending on lifestyle and cosmetic surgery.

Fraud Case

It was reported that The Department of Work and Pensions Financial Investigation Unit Team from Gloucestershire began their investigation into Mercedes Bradley following an anonymous tip off from a member of the public Bradley was then brought in for questioning and an interview where she was confronted with evidence of her £48,000 secret bank account. The stolen taxpayer money was used by Mercedes to fund her lifestyle including £10,000 on breast augmentation, designer dental work, a £4000 Peloton bike. and a personal trainer. Universal Credit rules state that any claimant must not have any capital higher than £16,000 to be eligible.

Source of Funds

Mercedes Bradley with Silver Fox

Mercedes Bradley with Man

Mercedes Bradley was questioned as to the source of the funds. As she was a single mother only working part time as a flight attendant for EasyJet it was unclear as to how she amassed a bank account containing nearly £50,000. The money in the secret bank account was made up of substantial payments totalling £47,780 from a number of men that Bradley claimed were ‘ex-boyfriends’, one man alone transferred Bradley over £30,000.

Sentencing

On 27th October 2022 Mercedes appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of capital savings or investments which would affect entitlement to Universal Credit between March 26 2020 and August 28 2021 due to the seriousness of the offence Mercedes was bailed to appear at Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing. On 24th November 2022 Mercedes Bradley appeared at court for sentencing. In mitigation Bradley's defence Barrister Karl Williams said "When she separated from her partner she made a legitimate claim for benefits. She moved from Swindon to where her family were living in the Cinderford area. This had a significant effect on her mental health. Bradley avoided a custodial sentence but was sentenced to a 12 month community order and must do 150 hours of unpaid work. She will also face a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in the spring where she will be ordered to pay back the £9,147.11 plus court costs. The judge stated "She has been assessed at low risk of re-offending. I believe there are suitable alternatives to a prison sentence within the community.”

Aftermath

At sentencing, Bradley's barrister stated.

“She has since lost her employment as an air hostess with Easy Jet but, more significantly, with Virgin Atlantic she is now unable to fly to America as this conviction will prohibit her from doing so. She has effectively lost her career as an air hostess, a career that was rather dear to her."

Also

"She pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She lives in rented accommodation and is making regular payments back to the Department of Work and Pensions, which currently amounts to just over £400. She is in stricken circumstances." From having £48,000 in a secret bank account and living a lavish lifestyle, Mercedes Bradley is effectively broke and unemployed.