A 48-year-old benefit fraudster who unlawfully claimed more than £22,000 in tax credits has cashed in her pension pot to pay back the money.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Irene Brewster and her partner Allan Eric Wilson had originally made a joint claim for tax credits in 2007, stating they were living together at Crossroads Cottages in Tealing.
However, in July 2010, the accused reported that they had separated and claimed as a single person until ceasing her claim for tax credits in January 2013, stating her youngest daughter had left the household.
As a result of a joint investigation between the DWP, HMRC and Dundee City Council, it was established they had still lived together during the period and they had two joint bank accounts.
Joint mortgage, car insurances and car breakdown cover were paid from one of the accounts and a car belonging to Mr Wilson was registered at the home address.
The total amount Brewster fraudulently claimed was £22,509.44.
Solicitor Jack Brown said there had “never come a time when she felt she could own up”.
He told Sheriff Carmichael Brewster has already repaid some £2,000 and would continue at a rate of £200 per month.
Asking the sheriff to defer sentence to allow further payments to be made and to assess whether a non-custodial sentence could be imposed, Mr Brown said steps have already been taken to cash in her pension pot.
He told the court: “Funds could be available from that by the end of February.”
Sheriff Carmichael deferred sentence until March 4, telling Brewster all sentencing options were available to him.