Former Arbroath woman fined for embezzling more than £5,000

A woman who embezzled more than £5,000 in benefits appeared at Arbroath Sheriff Court.

Melissa McGarvey, 22, La Villette Hotel, Guernsey, admitted claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance and housing/council tax benefit to which she was not entitled between June 1 2011 and February 26 2012.

The court heard that McGarvey made the claims while living at St Murdoch’s Crescent, Arbroath, but failed to declare her partner had been living with her.

She collected a total of £5,160.77 before officials from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) caught up with her following an anonymous tip-off.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “This is the first time the accused has been reported for a social security offence. The DWP had received information that the accused was living with her partner.

“An audit trail was begun and details then passed on to the Crown. The accused was fully cooperative throughout the inquiry.”

Sheriff William Wood fined McGarvey £600.