Woman admits benefit fraud

A Lochgelly woman claimed more than £11,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

Diane Tweedale, 55, admitted failing to give prompt notice to the Department for Work and Pensions and Fife Council about her change in circumstances when she appeared on two charges at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

At the time of the offences, dated between March 2016 and August 2017, Tweedale, of Drummond Square, was living with James Mackenzie who was in paid employment.

One charge stated that she knowingly failed to notify the DWP of her change in circumstances at addresses in Union Street and Drummond Square in Lochgelly.

It resulted in her being paid £5,793 in employment support allowance she was not entitled to.

The second charge related to her failure to notify Fife Council of the change in her living arrangements.

As a result, she obtained £5,361 of taxpayers’ money in housing benefit and council tax reductions from the local authority.

Sheriff Derek Reekie deferred sentence for criminal justice social work reports and a restriction of liberty order assessment.

Tweedale will return to court for sentencing on September 10.

Sheriff Derek Reekie said the amounts involved meant the court had to consider all options for sentencing.