West Calder benefits cheat facing prison sentence

A DISABLED benefits cheat is facing a prison sentence after he admitted defrauding taxpayers out of £30,000.

A disabled benefits cheat is facing a jail sentence. Picture; John Devlin

Thomas Cassidy failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions that he had thousands of pounds in savings which automatically disqualified him from claiming state benefits.

The 58-year-old kept his financial position secret from officials for two years and continued to claim Income Support and Employment & Support Allowance.

Cassidy, who appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court in a wheelchair, yesterday admitted committing the offence at his home in Burngrange Cottages, West Calder, between November 2012 and November 2014. He will be sentenced later.