Gambling addict jailed over fiddle

A GAMBLING addict claimed Job Seeker's Allowance while he was holding down three jobs.

Ian Ross, 58, had the benefits paid into his bank account every two weeks for seven years.

His luck ran out when an anonymous caller alerted the Department of Work and Pensions, telling them he was working at Celtic Park in Glasgow.

Ross, of Camps Rigg, Livingston, West Lothian, appeared for sentence at Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday.

He was jailed for a year after pleading guilty on indictment to obtaining 40,000 of Job Seeker's Allowance by fraud.

He admitted pretending to DWP officials that he was out of work between 23 February, 2001 and 7 February 2008 while he had part-time jobs with three different companies.

Depute fiscal Lisa McCloy said Ross had filled in an application form declaring he was no longer working because he had been made redundant in April 2000. As a result of his claim JSA was paid directly into his bank account from February 2001.

Kevin Dugan said Ross became addicted to gambling and ran up massive credit card debts which resulted in him being sequestrated last July.