Mum says life is being ruined by unproven criminal allegation
By Aline Nassif
aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk
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COOPED UP INDOORS: The Yeoell family
A mum claims her three kids are "losing out on their childhood" because of an unproven criminal allegation.
Caroline Yeoell's home in Broadcoombe, Selsdon, was raided by police in January 2007, on suspicion of money laundering.
At the time, the full-time carer was on £260 a week income support.
But in March 2009 - eight months before police dropped the case - Caroline's income support was terminated.
Caroline and her solicitor Richard Packham are waiting to hear the result of their appeal against the decision of the Department of Work and Pensions [DWP], which has been conducting its own investigation.
However, a source has told the Advertiser Caroline's case was heard in September - and that she won.
But nobody has told her or her solicitor and she is yet to see the money.
Mr Packham said: "This is really bizarre - I was on the phone to a DWP representative and I've been told no such thing.
"It doesn't surprise me the case was heard as we launched the appeal 10 months ago and have heard nothing."
As she waits for the money she feels she is owed, Caroline, 30, says she cannot give children Arthur, 12, Susanna, 5, and Jasmine, 2, the life they deserve.
She said: "I can't do what normal mums do, and take them bowling or to the cinema or to theme parks.
"We spend every weekend cooped up at home, doing nothing, because we can't afford to do anything.
"It's Susanna's birthday on February 14 but I won't be able to treat her at all."
A DWP spokeswoman refused to comment on Caroline's case, but said it was "looking into this case as a matter of urgency".
A Croydon Police spokeswoman confirmed the money laundering investigation was dropped on November 11.
34 Comments
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by Weightwatchers, croydon
Sunday, February 21 2010, 10:21AM
“come and see us Caroline, your 30 years old and 30 stone.
We can help you make it to 35 without being 35 stone or cremated
Its simple physics to be honest, your mouth is bigger than your a nus, thats why your fat”
by minnie mouse., Disneyland
Thursday, February 11 2010, 9:00PM
“Sky+ box and flat screen TV? baloo,
You been inside her home then?”
by The Manager, her local fried chicken takeaway
Thursday, February 11 2010, 7:29PM
“You should all think about the victims affected by this issue, it is rarely just the family whofind life hard while benefits are on hold for an investigation.
I for example had recently purchased a speedboat on finance just before Caroline's benefits were frozen, how am I supposed to make my boat payments if she can't come in for her daily Value Breakfast Bucket, and food for the kids too.”
by Baloo, Anon
Thursday, February 11 2010, 4:55PM
“Tracie - You madam are a disgrace.
You sit there all smug claiming your benefits as if it is your God given right. What will you do when the benefits systems are reformed?
And this Caroline woman. If she spent less money on take aways I'm pretty sure she'd have enough money to take the kids on a round the world trip.
If you keep pushing out kids you should be expected to pay for them. Why should my hard earned cash be spent on your Sky+ box and flat screen TV?
Get a job.”
by George Lucas, The Hoth System
Thursday, February 11 2010, 3:59PM
“So is anyone else reminded of the star wars scene here with Jabba the Hut and the chick in a gold Bikini
All I am saying is we appear to be missing the chick in the Bikini”
by misterkipling, Croydon
Thursday, February 11 2010, 3:47PM
“To be fair she is twice the woman my wife is, possibly three or four times by the look of it
I know its not a great camera angle in the photo but side on she appears to fill most of the room leaving three hungry kids clear in the corner.”
by misterkipling, Croydon
Thursday, February 11 2010, 3:43PM
“As I am helping to pay for the kids I would like to name the next one.
Now I know that Adolf is a name which has gone out of fashion recently and I think this could be a real opportunity to bring it back.
Also as I am paying for your lifestyle I would prefer it if you ate more healthy and lost some weight because we will be funding your healthcare and your heart bypass too
If you want freedom of choice get a job love and spend your own money”
by jojo, surrey
Thursday, February 11 2010, 6:45AM
“how lovely for her children to be abble to go to all theas lovely p;aces every week.
me and my husbound both work full time we have 3 children all under the age of 11 our children mean the wourld to us but even with both of us working we carnt aford to do theam things all the time..
maybe the dwp should read this becouse thay are only meant to give you so much per week per child to live on no wounder so many people do not get of their fat backsides and work ..
i hope for her sake her kids dont read a paper cliping of this whean thay are older how very proud thay most be of thair mum i dont think”
by Anon, croydon
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:33PM
“Think there is already a system for that in place lloyd, well similar anyway, correct me if im wrong! something on the lines of: when a child reaches 11, then the parent must be available for work. Why on earth would people keep having children, surely it has to be better to work and bring in your own money rather then claim these benefits, to me its degrading.”
by lloyd, NA
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 7:40PM
“Some strong and some Quality points on this subject ? One point that's intresting maybe the welfare state should look into is only paying a family with up to 2 children maximum and that way people don,t take liberty's of the system great idea that would save tax payers money and dignity ?”