Perth Sheriff Court

A council worker has admitted carrying out £10,000 of benefit fraud dating back more than four years.

Claire Sinclair claimed income support while working for Perth and Kinross Council’s education department, despite telling officials that she was unemployed.

She also failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that she was working full-time in the role, taking her over the threshold for the Carer’s Allowance she was claiming.

The 45-year-old admitted telling the DWP that she was unemployed, and claiming £5,000 in Income Support to which she was not entitled between December 27 2013 and December 26 2014.

She further admitted failing to update the DWP about a chance in circumstances, namely that she was now working full time, and claimed £5,000 of Carer’s Allowance to which she was not entitled.

Both offences took place at an address in Crieff.

Sheriff Gillian Wade deferred sentence on Sinclair, of Mitchell Street, Crieff, until next month for reports to be obtained. A man assaulted his former partner by throwing tea at her.

Abdul Akar hurled the beverage at Aneta Bauman at an address in Perth’s North Methven Street on February 7 this year, causing it to hit her on the body.

Yesterday at court, Akar admitted the offence, as well as a further one of acting in a threatening or abusive manner via social media.

Akar admitted sending messages via Facebook to Marek Makaruk which contained abusive and offensive remarks. The messages were received at an address in Perth’s South William Street on July 13 last year.

Sheriff Gillian Wade deferred sentence on the 43-year-old for reports to be obtained.

However, solicitor Cliff Cully, acting for Akar asked for a longer deferral as he was due to go on holiday.

He said: “He is Turkish and is intending to go back to Turkey to visit family. He may be away for five or six weeks.”

But Sheriff Wade said the reports must be in place by the time Akar, of High Street, Perth, is due to appear for sentencing on April 26.