A benefits cheat who stole almost £13,000 has been jailed for four months.
David McLean failed to tell authorities he had married, and obtained housing benefit through lone parent status.
At Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday, defence agent Grant Bruce urged Sheriff Kevin Veal not to jail the 29-year-old, who had “gone in over his head” once the false claims began.
McLean was told the scale of the deception and appeal court guidelines meant he could not avoid custody, however.
McLean, of High Street, Brechin, appeared for sentence having previously admitted obtaining £12,940 to which he was not entitled between October 15 2008 and July 15 2012, while living at Upper Gateside, Careston, near Brechin, by failing to give notification of a change in circumstances.
Fiscal depute Lynne Manion said McLean had been in receipt of income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit and lone parent support but became the subject of an Angus Council investigation when officials received a tip-off that he was living with a partner at the rural address, and that she was working.
When interviewed, he confirmed receiving the benefits but denied he had been living with the woman during the claim period.
A probe revealed the couple had married in late August 2009, but McLean told a council investigation officer that they had lived together for only a very short period after the wedding.
Mr Bruce said McLean understood the seriousness of the situation he was in and had already taken steps to put in place a repayment plan at the rate of £30 a week.
“His reasons for continuing to claim were largely to do with looking after his daughter rather than fleecing the system, that was what was uppermost in his mind.
“He had basically buried his head in the sand and he got into a situation where he basically got in so deeply that he could not get out.
“He has a deep level of remorse for what he has done and for the impact his actions will have on others within his family.
Jailing McLean, Sheriff Veal said: “The whole gamut of mitigation for Mr McLean has been placed before the court.
“I am required to follow the guidelines of the appeal court and I regret to say that I cannot see any exceptional circumstances which would prevent me from imposing a custodial sentence.”