SCALES OF JUSTICE Mum falsely pocketed £15k of benefits

A MOTHER found herself in the dock for falsely pocketing £15,000 worth of benefits.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Diane Brownlee admitted failing to notify authorities about a change of circumstances that affected her entitlement to Child and Working Tax Credit.

Between October 8, 2011 and April 16, 2015 – both dates inclu- sive at an address in Scaraway Street in Bishopbriggs – the 37-year-old maintained a common household with her partner at the time, who was in paid employment, and was in receipt of rental income.

Brownlee admitted being concerned in the fraudulent activity, claiming £15,000 worth of Tax Credit to which she was not enti- tled. The defence agent explained that the accused’s relationship with her former partner was turbulent, but the pair decided to give things another go for their young daughter – which is when he moved back into the family home.

The relationship, which is now over, was said to be abusive in which Brownlee’s ex “did every- thing other than hit her”. The accused went from being independent to depressed and in debt, but now has her life back on track and is living with her daughter at an address in the city’s Acre Drive.

Brownlee was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months.