Disgraced ex-minister admits benefit fraud

A DISGRACED former Kirk minister who was at the centre of a sex scandal was placed on probation for 18 months yesterday after she admitted carrying out benefit fraud.

Helen Douglas, 46, claimed thousands of pounds in benefits despite being able to buy a 75,000 home in Ceres, Fife, after a tribunal win over the Church of Scotland.

Douglas, who as the Rev Helen Percy scandalised a community by having an affair with a married parishioner, admitted obtaining 3,428 by fraud at her home between November 2006 and February 2010.

Fiscal depute Robbie Brown told Perth Sheriff Court that Douglas had enough cash to buy the Latch in Ceres and was not entitled to benefits.

The court was told that Douglas had paid back all the money.

Douglas was branded a "witch" by parishioners after she had sex with married elder Sandy Nicoll and subsequently quit the pulpit in disgrace. The saga began in 1997, when she was suspended over allegations of an affair.

She claimed she had been unfairly treated because of her sex after resigning from her post as associate minister for the six Angus Glen parishes in 1997.

Yesterday she was ordered to serve 18 months' probation.