Benefit cheat’s claim ‘farcical’

A BENEFIT cheat’s claim that she couldn’t afford to phone officials was described as “farcical” by a sheriff.

Elizabeth McConville received nearly £5000 in Income Support over a two-year period as a single person.

She was caught after officials were tipped off that her taxi driver husband Malcolm had returned to the household.

At Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Jack Brown ordered 31-year-old McConville, of Uphall, West Lothian, to pay back the cash at a rate of at least £100 a month, but deferred further sentencing for six months.