Arbroath pensioner facing jail over £45,000 benefits fraud

A 76-year-old Angus man is facing jail after he admitted a £45,000 benefit scam.

Robert Hopkins told the Department for Work and Pensions and council bosses he lived with his wife but she had no income.

In reality she had a £33,000-a-year job with Angus Council, part of which involved advising clients on their benefits claims.

Hopkins carried on his scam for almost three years, netting £15,000 a year in handouts he was not entitled to.

He now faces prison over the fraud after he admitted two charges at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court Hopkins’ wife started her care manager job with Angus Council in April 2012 but he hid the appointment from benefit chiefs.

“As a result of intelligence received by the DWP they commenced an investigation into the accused that uncovered his wife had been working full time as a care manager with Angus Council since April 2012,” she added.

“Had the accused declared this to Angus Council he would not have been entitled to council tax or housing benefit; had he declared this to the DWP he would not have been entitled to pension credit.

“He obtained £13,161 in housing benefit, £1,457 in council tax benefit and £32,000 in pension credit to which he was not entitled.”

Hopkins, of Westhaven Gardens, Arbroath, admitted two charges under the Social Security Administration Act committed between April 1 2012 and October 2015.

Sheriff Linda Smith deferred sentence until May 17 for reports and released him on bail.