Woman admits £15k benefit fraud

An Angus woman has admitted a £15,500 benefit fraud carried out over almost four years.

Jennifer Anderson, 36, of Kingennie Road, Wellbank, appeared before Sheriff Jillian Martin-brown at Forfar where she admitted a single charge under the Social Security Administration Act.

Anderson obtained the housing benefit and council tax benefit between November 21 2010 and October 5 2014 by falsely stating that she was living alone, when in fact her partner was living with her.

She was originally charged with falsely claiming £21,453, but a guilty plea to the amended total was accepted by the Crown.

A not guilty plea to a further charge of obtaining £1,215 in income support that she was not entitled to between December 2011 and April 2012 was also accepted.

Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said Anderson was appearing in court as a first offender.

“I would invite the court to defer sentence to obtain a social work report in this matter,” he said.

“That will also allow me to get up to date information from Angus Council in regard to the repayment situation.

“She has been making repayments for some time,” added Mr Markowski.

“My client is aware that all options are available to the court.”

Sentence on Anderson was deferred until January 18.