Benefit cheat social worker ordered to repay £20,000

A SOCIAL worker has been ordered to repay £20,000 made through benefit fraud, the Crown Office has revealed.

Susan Forsyth, 52, from East Kilbride, had previously admitted falsely claiming almost £35,000 while working for Glasgow City Council between 2004 and 2010.

Lindsey Miller, head of the serious and organised crime division at the Crown Office, said: “Lying about your circumstances in order to claim state benefits is tantamount to theft and stealing from the public purse should not be seen as an easy option.

“Anyone who makes money through criminal behaviour will find themselves subject to the powers of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“Susan Forsyth will now have to pay back £20,000 - the amount available to us at this time.

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