A woman who fraudulently claimed 30,000 of working and child tax credit was jailed.
Denise Lonie, 37, of Fintryside, was locked up for 12 months after admitting one charge at Dundee Sheriff Court of benefit fraud.
Lonie committed fraud over a four-year period by claiming she was a single parent, when in fact she lived with her partner, Graeme Heatherwick.
Fiscal depute Nicola Gillespie told the court an investigation was launched after information came to light that Lonie was living with Mr Heatherwick.
Various checks confirmed this and that he was paying into accounts registered to her address.
Mr Heatherwick was interviewed by investigating officers and admitted the pair were in a relationship.
He also told officers they lived together as a family, that he paid household bills, debts and maintenance, and that they went on family holidays together.
Lonie told officers that the couple separated briefly in 2009 and she started claiming as a single person then, but they quickly reconciled.
She added that their relationship was “stormy” and they had “financial problems”.
Solicitor Jim Laverty, defending, said: “From what I can gather there is very little spousal support at home and no extended family.
“A custodial sentence would severely impact on her children and other families who have come to rely on her because of her expertise as a child minder.”
Lonie admitted fraudulently claiming 30,000 of working and child tax credit between June 14 2009 and September 2 2013, at her home address, by failing to declare she was living with Mr Heatherwick.
Sheriff Drummond said: “You pled guilty on indictment to fraudulently obtaining 30,000 over a four-year period.
“The amount involved is so significant I have no other alternative but to send you to prison.”
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