Ex-officer in £16,000 childcare fraud

A former police officer who fraudulently claimed £16,000 in benefits has been given a community sentence.

Colin Burgoyne, 48, claimed for childcare costs when his children no longer attended nursery.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Burgoyne, a former Lothian and Borders Police officer, was told to do 150 hours' community service and pay a compensation order for 15,115.34.

At an earlier hearing he admitted submitting false tax credit claims for 16,538.69 in childcare expenses between April 2006 and September 2007, HM Revenue and Customs said.

John Fitzcharles, assistant director of investigation in Scotland for HMRC, said: "The vast majority of tax credits claimants claim only what they are entitled to but Colin Burgoyne's greed meant he fraudulently claimed more to line his own pockets."

Burgoyne, from Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, has to pay the money by 17 August.

HMRC said he earlier repaid 1,400.