A woman who hid her family inheritance from the benefits agency so she could con it out of thousands of pounds has been admonished after making payments to return the cash.
Thandilyn MacMaster cheated the agency out of nearly £6,000 after failing to declare she had inherited money from her late mother.
MacMaster, 46, admitted carrying out the social security fraud by failing to alert the agency to her change in financial circumstances.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told in February last year MacMaster had started paying back the fraudulent claim at £100 per month.
She admitted illegally obtaining £5,846 in benefits when she appeared in the dock before Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney.
The mother-of-three, from Strathmiglo, had been placed on a structured deferred sentence but returned to court on Wednesday to find out the final disposal.
Admonished
Sheriff Alison Michie was told by solicitor Angela McLardy a letter had been received from Fife Council confirming McMaster’s payments and more money had been paid since it had been written.
Ms McLardy also explained MacMaster’s health has become stable and she has been able to secure a more reliable employment contract.
“All in all, things are going quite well,” she said.
“She had been on a structured deferred sentence.
“She has been of good behaviour over this time.”
Sheriff Michie admonished first offender MacMaster, meaning she has a criminal record but there is no further punishment.
She said: “You pled guilty to a serious offence and one which could attract a significant sentence.
“That said, I take account of the fact you were previously placed on a structured deferred sentence which you complied with fully.
“I also note that there was no further recommendation for focus.”
Inheritance
At a previous hearing, fiscal depute Gavin Burton told the court: “It stemmed from the death of the accused’s mother.
“Money was received when she cashed in her mother’s pension.”
Solicitor David Sinclair, defending, said: “The line was crossed whereby she received an inheritance from her mother.
“She has had difficulty following her mother’s protracted illness and then death and the loss of that support network for her children.
“She has been a bit of a maelstrom of emotions.”
