Jobless Mom-Of-12 Known As ‘Queen Of Benefits’ Who Collects $50k Per Year Gets Dose Of Karma

An English mother of twelve has been accused of stealing more than $12,000 in coins from parking meters, a case that shocked many across the U.K. Cheryl Prudham, then 34, was already a familiar name in the British press, often labeled the “Queen of Benefits” after reports revealed she was collecting more than $49,000 a year in welfare payments. Her lifestyle and decisions had often drawn public scrutiny, and this latest controversy only added fuel to the fire.

Earlier in the same year, Cheryl was spotted at a local Mercedes-Benz dealership near her home in Wigan, Lancashire, browsing for a luxury vehicle — a sight that triggered public outrage given her reliance on state support.

Her estranged husband, Robert Prudham, 31, was also drawn into the scandal. Robert faced charges for allegedly stealing $12,886 from parking meters and for failing to disclose his past criminal convictions to a recruitment agency. Cheryl, on her part, was accused of handling the stolen money.

The alleged scheme reportedly involved a third person, Jacob Undertown, 27, and together, the trio is believed to have targeted multiple car parks in Maidstone, Kent, stealing both cash and coins. Despite the mounting evidence, all three denied any wrongdoing. Their trial was scheduled for November of that year, according to reports from the Daily Mail.

Cheryl’s personal life had been equally complicated and often sensationalized. Before marrying Robert, she had six children by two different men. She then had six more with Robert, bringing her total to twelve. Their relationship eventually collapsed after Cheryl claimed to have discovered that Robert had engaged in a threesome involving his own cousin — a betrayal that, she said, left her unwilling to trust men again.

“I don’t want another [man] because they are too much hard work,” Cheryl admitted in an interview. “I was hurt by Robert and find it difficult to trust again.”

Despite these experiences, Cheryl revealed she had plans for yet another child — this time through a sperm donor. She openly admitted to what she called an “addiction” to getting pregnant. At the height of their marriage, Cheryl and Robert reportedly brought in $73,626 annually and even managed to circumvent a $31,899 benefits cap. According to The Mirror, having a thirteenth child would allow Cheryl to claim even more welfare benefits.

“Another baby would mean more benefits, so the more the merrier,” she candidly said. “I’m not worried about getting hit by the benefits cap; there are always ways around it.”

Cheryl also admitted that part of her plan involved using some of the additional funds for cosmetic surgery, including breast enhancement and a tummy tuck. “I’ve spent most of my life having babies, and I wanted to treat myself and concentrate on me for a bit,” she explained.

Although she received offers for dates, Cheryl said she had little interest in pursuing new relationships. “I can’t be bothered with men anymore,” she said. “I’ve realized that having babies makes me happy.”