Bid to claw back £18k in benefits

A CHEAT illegally claimed £18,000 in benefits by pretending he was single for more than a year.

Now the Crown has launched a proceeds of crime action against Barry Lowe who has admitted falsely claiming to be the sole income earner.

Lowe, 44, from Broughty Ferry, failed to declare he lived as part of a married couple while drawing numerous different benefits.

He admitted conning various agencies out of a total of £18,009 and prosecutors are now trying to claw back his illegal gains.

His solicitor, Doug McConnell, said Lowe had already started repaying the money and disputed the need for a proceeds of crime action.

But the court heard Lowe would take more than 21 years to reimburse the full amount at his current repayment rate. The action was continued until April.

Lowe previously admitted failing to declare a change of circumstances by not revealing that his wife was contributing to the household income.

Dundee Sheriff Court was told Lowe was living as a married couple with Angela Ferry for more than a year without telling the agencies.

Lowe of Stracathro Terrace, admitted cheating the Department for Work and Pensions out of £11,574 between August 1 2016 and November 26 2017.

He admitted failing to give the DWP prompt notification of a change of circumstances in that he had a wife who was contributing to the household while he claimed Employment Support Allowance.

Lowe also admitted that between August 10 2016 and November 26 2017 he failed to notify Dundee City Council of the same change of circumstances, cheating it out of £5,579 in housing benefit and £856 in council tax.

Mr McConnell said Lowe was paying the largest sum back at £50 per month and contributing a further £20 to the other amounts.

Mr McConnell said: “He has difficulty with his health but would do unpaid work as an alternative to custody.”

Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown told Lowe: “It is clear you have accepted full responsibility and are hoping to make positive changes to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“The sums are such that a custodial sentence would be an option, but it is your first offence. I will follow the recommendation to impose an alternative to custody.” He was put on a four-and-a-half month Restriction of Liberty order, ordering him to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am.

Barry Lowe