Fraud woman pays back money

A court heard a young woman has paid back more than £4,000 of a £7,450 benefit fraud total since admitting the “deeply embarrassing” offence.

Gemma MacAlister, of Glenogil Drive, Arbroath, appeared before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown at Forfar for a continuation of a case in which she previously admitted three charges of falsely obtaining benefits for almost two years.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to declare she was living with and receiving economic support from her partner, leading to the payment of housing benefit and income support to which she was not entitled.

Defence solicitor Lynne Sturrock said a social work report before the court indicated MacAlister had paid back the “substantial amount” of £4,500.

“The report indicates that this is something she is deeply embarrassed about and very regretful of,” added the solicitor.

Sheriff Jillian MartinBrown deferred sentence for six months for repayment to continue.

Also at Forfar: Sean Vannet, 24, of High Street, Arbroath, was fined £200 after pleading guilty by letter to possessing cocaine in DeVito’s nightclub, Millgate, Arbroath, last December 18.

Paul Massie, 38, of Glenclova Terrace, Forfar, was placed on a four month low-tariff deferred sentence after admitting a string of shoplifting offences and breaching bail.