East Lothian benefits cheat pocketed £20k in scam
Kirsty Benn claimed the large amount of Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) despite living together at the time of her crime with her partner Mark Campbell.
Crooked Benn, from Wallyford, East Lothian, claimed the £20,0000 in benefits she was not entitled to over a two-year period, a court was told.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe 35-year-old pleaded guilty to an amended charge during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to face justice over her claim.
Procurator fiscal depute Jack Castor, prosecuting Benn for the Crown, told the court the DWP instructed members of its specialist investigation team to launch a probe into Benn’s benefit claims in May 2018.
She attended a DWP office for an interview and it was found she had been living full time with her partner, Mr Campbell, while continuing to claim the benefits which she was no longer eligible for.
Solicitor Mary Moultrie, defending, said her client was currently repaying the cash back and asked for the sentence to be deferred.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSheriff Douglas Keir agreed and deferred sentence to next month for reports and for it to be established how much of the swindled money is still outstanding.
Benn pleaded guilty to failing to give prompt notification to the DWP that her circumstances had changed in that she was living with her partner Mark Campbell and did obtain Universal Credit of £20,000 she was not entitled to between July 26, 2016 and May 31, 2018.