Woman jailed for ‘pressuring’ husband into illegal benefit claims

A FRAUDSTER who was “pressured” by her husband into making more than £60,000 of illegal social security claims has been jailed for 11 months.

Lesley Anne Robertson, 49, was sent down for wrongfully receiving £60,410.39 in income support, housing benefit and council tax payments over an eight year period.

Robertson, of Granton, Edinburgh, told government employees that her husband George wasn’t working and that she had no income.

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But her partner was actually earning a wage working as a porter at Edinburgh University.

She was snared in March 2010 after Benefits Agency staff cross checked the couple’s national insurance records and found that George was making cash.

Today Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how her husband George had encouraged her to con the authorities out of taxpayers cash.

But this couldn’t persuade Sheriff Alistair Noble not to give her jail time.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Noble said: “Because of the sum of money involved in this case, a custodial sentence is the only option available to me.”

Robertson, who limped into the dock with a walking stick, leaded guilty to committing fraud between April 2001 and November 2009 at a hearing last month. Sentence had been deferred until Friday.

At that hearing, Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia told the court that Robertson started making dodgy social security claims in early 2001.

Mr Kapadia said that she pretended to be a low income mother of one - but was illegally taking housing benefit and council tax relief and income support cash.

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He said that she ignored telling Benefits Agency bosses that her hubby had managed to find work at Edinburgh University and was bringing home a wage.

She was finally caught out in March 2010 when Benefits Agency staff checked out her financial background.

Defence solicitor David Allan told the court that the first offender had experienced a traumatic event which had placed her and other members of her family under stress.

Mr Allan also said that her husband George had also influenced her into making the fraudulent claims.

He added: “She was encouraged to indulge in criminal behaviour by her husband. He applied pressure on her to make these claims.

“It is my submission that her partner had significant influence in the commissioning of this crime.

“This is obviously a serious offence and she accepts a custodial sentence is inevitable. She has always co-operated with the authorities. She admitted her guilt to the DSS and she co-operated with them.

“It is my submission that she has adopted a responsible and mature attitude towards this case.

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“I would ask your lordship to exercise a degree of leniency in his sentencing.”

Sheriff Noble said he accepted Mr Allan’s arguments.

But he added: “I take into account that you were pressured by your husband. However, you have pleaded guilty to fraud and I must impose a prison sentence.”

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