A professional snooker player’s mother is facing potential legal action for suspected housing benefits fraud following a contentious dispute over a £620,000 family property.
Susan Hickenbotham, who has been receiving social security and housing benefits since 1992, alleged that her son Matthew Selt, ranked 43rd globally, along with her daughters Claire Noble and Charlotte Hamblin, coerced her into transferring ownership of their Romford residence, where she has resided since 1998 and which is now valued at approximately £620,000.
Hickenbotham claimed she was issued an eviction notice by her daughter Claire Noble in 2024. She asserted that she purchased the house from her ex-husband Michael David Selt for £75,000 as a goodwill gesture after their separation, contributing £7,500 towards the mortgage in 2000 and eventually acquiring the property outright in 2011 with inheritance money from her father.
Allegations were made that the children orchestrated a deceptive tenancy arrangement, designating Noble as the owner and Hickenbotham as the tenant to exploit housing benefit entitlements. The judge scrutinizing the case cast doubt on Hickenbotham’s account of events, dismissing her claims of being pressured to sign a deed.
The judgment highlighted discrepancies in testimonies and concluded that Hickenbotham had engaged in a housing benefits scam with her daughter Claire by fabricating a tenancy agreement to fraudulently obtain financial aid. The judge indicated intent to report the individuals involved to the relevant authorities for investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities.
Legal representation for Hickenbotham’s son, Tom Russell, acknowledged a lack of substantial information provided by the sportsman during the proceedings, suggesting a reluctance to engage fully in the case. The judge remarked on Matthew Selt’s peripheral involvement compared to his mother and sisters, emphasizing his minimal role in the dispute.
Charlotte Hamblin, representing herself and her siblings, raised concerns about her mother’s behavior and the credibility of her claims, pointing out inconsistencies in the narrative presented in court. She referenced an email from their father, contradicting Hickenbotham’s assertions and questioning the motives behind the property dispute.
Matthew Selt, known for achieving a milestone in his snooker career with his first 147 break at the BetVictor Championship League, faced past disciplinary issues and was removed from a leadership position within the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association players’ association for inappropriate conduct.
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