Fife woman wrongly claimed more than £12,000 in benefits

A Glenrothes woman who wrongly claimed more than £12,000 in benefits has been ordered to perform unpaid work.

Melanie Pike appeared for sentencing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday after previously admitting failing to notify various agencies of a change in her circumstances.

The 27-year-old told the Department for Work and Pensions that she was living alone with two dependent children at an address on Auchmuty Drive in Glenrothes.

She claimed £4,726.57 worth of income support between April 2016 and September 2017 despite living with her partner.

Pike, now of Kinglassie, also failed to tell Fife Council she was maintaining a common household with her now husband, who was in paid work.

She claimed £7,633.20 in housing benefit between August 2015 and October 2017.

Defence solicitor David Bell told the court Pike, a mother of four, had been in a previous abusive relationship before meeting her current partner.

He said: “She was staying with her two children when she took up with her current partner who is now her husband.

“She did not wish for him to be financially responsible for the two children from her previous relationship.

“She was content for the state to be responsible for them.

“It was a poor and criminal decision which led her to be here today.

“She is aware that a custodial sentence could be imposed for an offence at this level.”

Sheriff James Williamson told Pike to perform 175 hours of unpaid work alongside 12 months’ supervision.