Benefit cheat ordered to pay back £6k

PROSECUTORS have welcomed a £6000 confiscation order made against a woman who committed benefit fraud by pretending to be a single mother who lived alone.

Susan Jeffrey, 37, from Edinburgh, had previously pleaded guilty to pretending to be unemployed with no means of financial support, when she actually lived with her partner, who was fully employed. She was sentenced to 240 hours of community service.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court last week, she was given a confiscation order for £6279 – which she made from the fraud.

Lindsey Miller, head of the Serious and Organised Crime Division with the Crown Office, said: “Lying about your circumstances in order to claim state benefits is simply stealing from the public purse.

“Many people see this as an easy way to make money, but they should be aware that they will not only be prosecuted for the offence, but will also find themselves subject to the Proceeds of Crime Act.”

“This money will be added to the £44 million already 
reinvested in this way in the CashBack for Communities programme.”