Councillor 'continued fraud after election'

A HIGHLAND councillor accused of £43,000 benefit fraud had continued claiming income support even after being elected, a court heard yesterday.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told Councillor John Holden, 62, had earned nearly 250,000 between 2002 and 2008 - the period he allegedly falsely obtained benefits.

Dawn Wallace, 33, an executive officer for the Department of Work and Pensions, said Holden had never declared his income.

She added that he also stated to be living alone.

The court has already heard evidence that Mary Ewen, now Holden's wife, had been in his home at the time.

Miss Wallace said that, no matter the income from Miss Ewen into the household - said to be more than 50,000 over the period in question - Holden would not have been entitled to any benefits, given his own earnings.

She also told the court that letters were sent annually to Holden at his home in Teal Avenue, Inverness, asking if there were any change in his circumstances, to which there was no reply.

She said he continued seeking income support, claiming to be living alone without income.

During 2004, the court heard the pair's joint income was 89,000, with Holden earning 83,509. In 2007, the earnings were described as 71,274 jointly, and 64,259 for Holden.

It was by this time, depute fiscal Ian Smith pointed out, that Holden had been elected as a councillor. When asked by the fiscal whether Holden was entitled to any benefit, Miss Wallace said: "No."

Holden denies charges of defrauding Highland Council and the Department of Work and Pensions of 34,000 income support, 6,925.24 in council tax benefit and single occupancy discount of more than 2,309 by claiming he lived alone, had no capital and was not in employment.

The case continues.