A Dundee mother-of-two has admitted benefit fraud totalling more than £30,000.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday that Sharon Buchan (46), of Camperdown Road, had obtained benefits to which she was not entitled, including income support and housing and council tax payments, over more than three-and-a-half years.
She admitted two charges of failing to inform the Department for Work and Pensions and Dundee City Council of the change in her circumstances between April 23, 2006, and January 7, last year. In particular, she failed to disclose she was living with Ian Craig, as husband and wife, while Mr Craig was in full-time employment.
Depute fiscal Douglas Wiseman told the court that Buchan had signed a number of declaration forms. When asked in a form in September 2009 if she had a partner who lived with her, Buchan answered no.
The following month, the DWP was notified by Dundee City Council that Mr Craig had applied for a taxi driver’s licence using Buchan’s address.
Buchan later admitted that Craig had lived there since April 2006, and in the interim she had obtained £17,495 in income support and £14,337 in council tax and housing benefits.
Sheriff George Way called for reports. Bail was granted and Buchan will appear again on June 21.