OAP cheated council out of £10,000 in benefits

A Coatbridge pensioner who cheated North Lanarkshire Council out of £10,000 over a 12-year period has been sentenced to unpaid work.

Catherine Kearney’s“substantial fraud” saw her falsely claim the five-figure sum in Housing Benefit between April 7, 2003, and February 8, 2015, after failing to notify the council of a change of circumstance.

The 76-year-old claimed she only had one occupational pension, when in fact she had another two, and pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court back in April to obtaining benefits she wasn’t entitled to.

Kearney, of Ellismuir Street in Kirkshaws, made her return to the dock last week following a period of deferral for social work background reports.

Defence solicitor Roberto Manini, on his client’s behalf, told the court:“There is a lack of record here and she pled guilty and there is a repayment plan in place.

“Money is still being taken back from her benefits. She is suitable for light duties, relating to unpaid work.”

Sheriff Petra Collins agreed with Mr Manini’s assessment – but warned Kearney she faces jail time if she fails to adhere to her court order. The sheriff told Kearney:“This was a substantial fraud over a 12-year period. In the circumstances, I will make a community service order, as a direct alternative to custody, of 100 hours’unpaid work, which you will complete within one year.

“If you breach the order and are brought back before me then you can expect a custodial sentence.”