Jail for woman who defrauded DWP of £10k in benefits scam

A Perthshire woman who pocketed £10,000 from a government agency in a benefits scam lasting more than two-and-a-half years has been jailed for six months.

Perth Sheriff Court heard Margaret Leaver, 52, of Sauchob Crescent, Methven, had told staff working for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in December 2012 that she was suffering from various conditions.

She also falsely claimed she did not have a partner.

Depute Fiscal Bill Kermode said: “The accused was reminded on several occasions during her benefits claim that she would have to report any relevant changes to her circumstances.

“The DWP subsequently received intelligence that the accused was living with a partner.”

Mr Kermode said inquiries found Leaver’s husband was living at the Methven address and working at a nearby sawmill. Benefits staff summoned Leaver to an interview and she admitted the pair were “maintaining a common household”.

Leaver admitted that between August 31, 2013 and February 12, 2016, at her home address, she obtained £10,000 employment and support allowance to which she was not entitled and that she failed to notify the DWP that her partner was in paid employment.

She was jailed after solicitor Cheryl McKnight said her client would not be able to carry out a community-based court disposal and could not be subject to a tagging order.

She said: “My client’s ankles are prone to swelling up and she has a diagnosed muscle wastage illness which has affected the left side of her body. She also has sporadic use of a wheelchair.”