£18k benefit fraud mum avoids prison
Sheriff takes pity on woman who claimed illegally
A mum-of-two who illegally raked in £18,000 in benefits from social security bosses, has been shown mercy by a sheriff.
Joanne Scarff, 45, claimed the dough over a period of eight years by collecting Carers’ Allowance and Income Support while working as a cleaner.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Ms Scarff of Heron Place, Johnstone, had not informed the Department of Work and Pensions officers about a change in her circumstances at the same as working for two cleaning firms.
Fiscal depute Claire Nicholls told the court: “The accused had been claiming Carers’ Allowance and Income Support as libelled and the DWP received information she was working and commenced as investigation into that.
“The accused had been working for two firms, Dream Team Cleaning and Hermes, while receipt of benefits and the DWP obtained details from both companies showing payments being made to her.
“She was interviewed by police in relation to this and made certain admissions.
“She had paid sums of money into a bank account belonging to another.
“She also admitted providing an incorrect date of birth, national insurance number and address, and she was cautioned and charged.”
Yesterday Ms Scarff, who is hard of hearing and has two children with additional learning needs – a daughter of 14 and a son of 16 – broke down in the dock, as she pleaded guilty to the charges.
She pleaded guilty to obtaining benefits between July 2008 and January 2015 by knowingly failing to give proper information to DWP officers about a change in her circumstances involving her entitlement to Carers Allowance and Income Support, where she did obtain £18,000.
Defence agent Peter Galletly told the court Ms Scarff had already repaid social security bosses more than £1,000 since her offences came to light last March – and her benefits would be docked until the full amount was recovered.
He added that £ 18,000 was not “the true loss to the public purse” because had the accused sought other entitlements instead of supplementing her income by working, the figure would have been much lesser.
He said: “She is a mum and a full time carer for her two children, both of whom are vulnerable parties requiring additional care.
“Her daughter is particularly in need of emotional support regarding her mother’s appearance at court and her son suffers from a behavioural condition. “My client is the mainstay of the family. “She finds these proceedings extremely traumatic not only for herself but also for her family.
“She had pleaded guilty to the these offences and deeply regrets this matter.
“She is endeavouring to repay the sums to the DWP.”
Sheriff Susan Sinclair said: “You have pleaded guilty to this crime of not telling the DWP you had employment and you had not told them about it while you were in receipt of benefits.
“This is a serious crime and can result in people going to jail but, in your case and regarding your personal circumstances, with your responsibility to your children and your own health, I find exceptional enough that you have other things to worry about.
“We can deal with this by not sending you to prison.”
She ordered the accused to repay all the money outstanding at £100 per month, handed her one year’s supervision by the social work department, and handed her 240 hours unpaid work to be completed within a year.