A couple falsely claimed £90,000 in benefits to fund their dream wedding in Cuba which took place while they were on bail for previous fraud . Tracey Dougherty , 38 , and Stephen Turner , 60 , claimed tens of thousands of pounds together over a period of 15 years . Dougherty told officials she was a single mother of four to claim income support , housing benefit and council tax benefit while Turner claimed out-of-work benefits despite being a self-employed driving instructor . Tracey Dougherty and Stephen Turner conned officials out of almost £90,000 in benefits that was used in part to fund their lavish Cuba wedding . The couple 's deception was discovered when police searching their Wigan home found wedding invitations on which Ms Dougherty boasted about paying for guests ' flights . She was jailed for eight months while her husband was ordered to repay more than £2,000 following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court . The court heard how Dougherty had been claiming taxpayer 's money on the premise that she was a single parent since 2000 . She had in fact moved in with Turner who was also given government money as his mother 's carer for a spell . Alone the woman claimed more than £84,000 over 12 years , all the while living with her partner . In August 2013 the couple were arrested when officials suspected they had been committing benefit fraud . The couple flew 20 guests to the exotic destination for their 2013 nuptials after being bailed for fraud . Ms Dougherty claimed benefits for a single parent despite living with her partner and her four children for 12 years . The following month , after denying living together , they married in the exotic setting while on bail , the conditions of which did not prevent them from travelling abroad . They both pleaded guilty to falsely claiming benefits at Liverpool Crown Court . Council bosses have slammed their behaviour since . Councillor Paul Kenny said : 'This couple lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of the local taxpayer . 'At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet , this kind of behaviour will no doubt frustrate those footing the bill . 'Benefits are there for people who need them , not for those who want to subsidise their income and pay for expensive holidays . ' The couple appeared before Liverpool Crown Court where they admitted benefit fraud . Dougherty was jailed for eight months while her husband must repay more than £2,000 .
Tracey Dougherty and Stephen Turner claimed almost £90,000 together . Couple denied living together in Wigan to become eligible for handouts . They flew 20 guests to Cuba for a lavish wedding while on police bail . A month earlier they had been arrested for suspected fraud by officials . Dougherty , 38 , was jailed for eight months at Liverpool Crown Court . Her 60-year-old husband was told to repay money fraudulently claimed .