A Fife woman who carried out benefit fraud totalling over £22,000 during a period of more than three years has avoided a jail term.
Janet Bell, 56, of Leadside Crescent, Wellwood, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.
She previously admitted that between September 16 2009 and February 9 2013 at Kenmore Terrace, Kirkcaldy, and elsewhere she knowingly made false statements to officials of the Department of Work and Pensions and Fife Council.
On claim forms and verbally, she stated that she was separated from her partner and resided alone.
The truth was that she was living with Steven Swinnerton and obtained £22,125.90 in Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to which she was not entitled.
Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said her client “fully accepted this is a significant sum of money” and it had been her responsibility to make known any change in circumstances.
Ms Roshi said her client suffered from various health problems, was a first offender and gave support to her grandchildren.
The solicitor said there had been no repayments of the money so far because of a “bout of pleurisy” but that her client would have to pay it back.
Sheriff Craig McSherry said that as a direct alternative to a “significant” custodial sentence he would impose a restriction of liberty order for ten months.
