The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

Benefit cheat to repay money

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A benefit cheat who appeared at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday was told she will have to repay money which she claimed but was not entitled to.

Susan Lord ,56, pleaded guilty to failing to inform the Department of Work and Pensions that her partner was working between May 2015 and June 2016, falsely claiming £4,000 of employment and support allowance.

Lord, of Glenview, Dalmally, also admitted claiming £500 of housing benefit from Argyll and Bute Council which she was not entitled to between April and June 2016.

The court heard that her partner, George Dow, had been working as a labourer, and she failed to notify the authoritie­s. Solicitor Kevin McGuinness said: “Her partner was working on a part-time basis. However, when his employment

“Finances were tight and the extra money was useful”

went full-time she accepts she did not divulge that informatio­n.

“Finances in the household were very tight and the extra revenue coming in was very useful.”

Sheriff Ruth Anderson replied: “I bet it was – £ 80 a week would come in useful in anyone’s budget.”

Mr McGuinness continued: “It was in her mind to approach the benefits agency and come clean about where she was with this. As time went on the money kept coming in and matters reached the point where they are.”

He added that she has been paying the housing benefit back at £20 a week since June or July last year.

The sheriff deferred sentence until April 25 for proof of what has been paid back so far and proposals for future repayment of the remaining balance.

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