The prospect of a prison sentence continues to hang over the head of a five-figure Angus benefits cheat.
Kristen Herald obtained a range of benefits over two years when she failed to declare someone was living with her at a property in Arbroath.
The 27-year-old was originally accused of obtaining sums totalling more than £31,000, but last year admitted amended charges at Forfar sheriff court involving £22,000.
On Thursday the court heard she has been making repayments to both Angus Council and HMRC, but has only paid back a few thousand pounds.
Herald, of Great Michael Road, Arbroath had sentence deferred in October after admitting that between March 13 2012 and May 30 2014, at her home address, she knowingly failed to declare there was a male residing at the claim address.
As a result, the accused obtained housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support of £10,000 to which she was not entitled.
She had originally been charged with obtaining more than £14,700 illegally.
Herald further admitted that between March 2012 and June 2014 she was knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity to obtain working tax credit and child tax credit by again failing to declare that the male was residing in the household, thereby obtaining £12,000 of payments to which she was not entitled.
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said the matter had been continued previously to gain an update repayment position, but despite recent requests to the local authority and HMRC he had been unable to get that information for the court.
He said the accused was paying £24 per week to Angus Council and £10 a week to HMRC.
“There may only be £3,500 to £4,500 that has been repaid,” added Mr Rennie.
“It was suggested by a previous sheriff that she needs to make good inroads into repaying these sums.”
He said Herald was a first offender, but recognised the total figure involved meant that she was facing the “worst possible option”.
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio deferred sentence until February 16 for an updated criminal justice social work report on Herald and further clarification of the repayment status.
