A MARRIED couple with money troubles lied to swindle insurers out of more than £7,000.

Michael Longden, aged 27, and Jaime Guilfoyle, aged 29, both of Derwent Avenue, Bury, told insurers they had been the victims of theft – twice – and later admitted their stories were made up.

They each admitted two counts of fraud to Bury magistrates on January 23 and, at a sentencing hearing today, were told to pay £2,000 back and stay home from 7pm to 6am for the next four months.

DC Kate Sibley led the investigation for City of London Police’s insurance fraud enforcement department.

After the hearing, she said: “Longden and Guilfoyle twice concocted stories about how they had fallen victim to handbag thefts.

“On the first occasion, they got away with it but the second time their fabricated insurance claim fell apart under scrutiny from the insurer, RSA.

“This case highlights once again how IFED take small-time insurance scams just as seriously as the major frauds run by organised crime groups.

“The message from us is that if you submit bogus claims, big or small, do not be surprised if one day we come calling for you.” Guilfoyle told RSA she had been out shopping in February 2014 and someone had stolen her Ted Baker handbag from the boot of her car.

The handbag, she claimed, contained a a purse, £700 in cash, perfume, make-up and two Samsung Galaxy tablets.

She then made a claim for £2,228 and was backed by her husband,

However, RSA looked into it and discovered Guilfoyle had made a similar claim to Legal and General in August 2013 – and had landed a £4,892 payout on that occasion.

On that occasion, she had claimed that she was out in Blackpool when a Ted Baker handbag containing an iPad Retina, Samsung camera, Guess watch, diamond engagement ring, white gold and diamond wedding ring and charm bracelet was stolen.

When RSA put Guilfoyle on the spot, she claimed the £700 cash she had on her in February 2014 was to pay rent, but the truth was that she and her husband paid for her rent electronically.

RSA also discovered that an invoice, submitted by Guilfoyle in an attempt to prove she bought the two Samsung Galaxy tablets, was fake.

RSA and Legal and General both contacted police, who searched the couple’s house, and found the Samsung camera they claimed had been stolen.

When interviewed, the pair came clean and said they lied because they were having money problems.

RSA’s counter fraud manager John Beadle said: “We’re pleased that Longden and Guilfoyle have been sentenced.

“Every fraudulent claim, no matter the size, has a significant impact on honest customers and anyone trying to abuse the system needs to realise there is a very real risk of being caught and prosecuted.

“Together as an industry, we must continue to do everything within our power to eradicate this criminal activity to protect those who make genuine claims.”