Perth benefits fraud accused appears in court

Oct 16 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTH woman fraudulently obtained more than £2,000 in benefits during a 10-month spell.

The Sheriff Court was told that 39-year-old Fiona McIntyre, of Newhouse Road, claimed Income Support – but failed to tell officials that she was working in a local pub.

Between April 28, 2008, and February 23 this year, she cheated the Department of Work and Pensions out of a total of £2039.80p.

McIntyre pled guilty by letter this week – but has been ordered to appear personally for sentence on November 11.

Social inquiry and community service reports have been ordered for that date.

She pled guilty to failing to notify the department promptly that she had started work at The Stagger Inn, on Perth’s Princes Street.

In a letter to the court, McIntyre said: “I know I should have let them know sooner than I did but I had loads of things happening in my life, so I forgot.

“I got in touch with them eventually. I am willing to pay the money back.”