Benefits cheat got £12,000

Assaulted woman CPO breached

Sentencing has been deferred on an Airdrie woman who pled guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than £12,000 in benefits.

Lorraine Duffy, 33, received two separate sums of cash that totalled the five-figure amount after failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in her personal circumstances.

The Drumgelloch Avenue resident didn’t inform the DWP that she had begun living with someone who was in full-time employment.

Thisnotification failure allowed her to continue receivng income support and housing benefit between January 2014 and May 2015.

During this period Duffy claimed £5086 in income support and £7084 in housing benefit.

Sheriff Sara Matheson decided once again to defer sentencing until next month because reports were not available.

Duffy’s defence solicitor said: “Sentencing was originally deferred for reports which still haven’t been obtained.

“My client has tried, without success, to contact various departments to talk about a standing order.”

Addressing Duffy, Sheriff Matheson said: “I will defer this for Sheriff McFarlane.

“In the meantime I suggest you continue putting money into a different account in preparation.”

“You will return here on July 19.” A Coatbridge man who assaulted a woman has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Dale Boyd, 23, was given the punishment as a direct alternative to custody after committing the crime on January 5.

The Calder Street resident pled guilty to grabbing the woman on the arm and pushing her to the ground at Endrink Court in Coatbridge.

Boyd’s defence solicitor said: “I appreciate that given my client’s record you will be considering a custodial sentence.

“However, he has abstained from offending for three years and is trying to gain stability in his life.

“He is a young man fit and prepared for unpaid work.”

Sheriff Morag Shankland ruled: “As an alternative to custody I am placing you under a community payback order.

“You will spend 15 months under supervision and do as your officer tells you.

“You will also perform 150 hours of unpaid work within the next nine months.” An Airdrie woman will return to court to face the music for an alleged breach of a community payback order.

Charlene McGuire, 24, committed her offence more than three years ago on April 11, 2014 when she attempted to access another person’s bank account.

She was spared jail at the time and given the CPO, the details of which weren’t revealed in the remand court.

However, McGuire appeared back in the dock last week for a review of the order.

It was deferred by Sheriff Frank Pieri to allow for a drug treatment and testing order and a criminal justice social work report to be gathered.

McGuire’s defence solicitor Rowan Myles said: “We’re here for a review and I realise your patience may have ran out.

“Drug issues had led to mental health problems and offending.

“There’s a frank admission of the breach in that respect on her part.

“I think a stage one DTTO should be attached to the reports gathered.”

Sheriff Pieri told McGuire: “I’ll call for the reports before making a decision.

“I’ll adjourn for a criminal justice social work report as well as a drug testing and treatment order.

“Your bail is continued and you are ordained to appear here on July 12.”

250 hours for thug

A Coatbridge man has narrowly avoided jail despite assaulting four police officers during a violent outburst.

Woodhall Street resident James Duffy committed the offences on March 21 last year.

And after pleading guilty to his disgraceful behaviour at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, the 35-year-old was sentenced to 250 hours of unpaid work in the community.

No narration was read out in the courtroom but it is understood Duffy assaulted the four officers, three males and one female, in an appalling incident that saw him throwing bricks and wooden blocks at the quartet on Woodhall Street.

His defence solicitor said: “He has limited memory of the incident but accepts responsibility and is remorseful for his actions.

“I ask if this could be dealt with by means of work in the community.

“This was an isolated incident and he has cleaned up his act.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri agreed and said: “Due to your report and good record I am prepared to deal with this without a custodial sentence.

“I am placing you under supervision for 15 months.

“As part of your order you will do as you are told by your supervising officer.

“The gravity of this matter cannot go ignored and so you will complete 250 hours of unpaid work .”

I will defer this. In the meantime I suggest you continue putting money into a different account.