Two-year delay in Thatcham woman Lynn Raper’s benefits fraud trial

AN alleged benefits fraud may take a further two years to come to trial after a court kicked the case back to November 2026.

The shocking delay, which critics will claim is evidence of Britain’s broken justice system, was branded “unacceptable” by the judge, who noted the alleged offences date back to 2022.

But she was assured by a clerk that the end of 2026 was the earliest opportunity for an anticipated four-day hearing.

In the dock at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, October 30, was Lynn Raper.

The 57-year-old, of Foxglove Way, Thatcham, denies fraud.

Specifically, she faces three charges of failing to disclose the full extent of the income and assets of her partner, Darren Roberts, on a financial assessment form submitted to West Berkshire Council, intending to make a gain for herself or to cause another to lose.

Ms Raper is further charged with concealing, disguising, converting or transferring property which she knew or suspected to be the benefit of criminal conduct.

All the offences were said to have been committed in Thatcham on various dates in 2022.

Her co-defendant, 30-year-old Alexander Roberts, also of Foxglove Way, was charged with similar offences.

But these were dismissed at a previous hearing after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Ms Raper’s trial had been ready to proceed, said Edward Elton, prosecuting.

A potential jury was assembled and ready to be sworn.

But then it emerged that Ms Raper’s barrister would be unavailable after another, unconnected trial at another court overran.

The court was told no replacement was available.

Judge Jane Rowley told Ms Raper: “You can’t have a fair trial without someone representing your interests.

“You’ve been left high and dry.”

She branded the further, two-year delay as “unacceptable”.

The trial was nevertheless scheduled to begin on November 9, 2026.

Ms Raper was meanwhile released on unconditional bail.

In May the National Audit Office revealed the crown court backlog was the highest on record and the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) ambition to reduce the caseload to 53,000 by March 2025 is no longer achievable

Over one quarter of cases wait for a year or more to be heard at crown courts, prolonging the distress to victims, witnesses and defendants.