Benefits cheat sentenced

Claimed £5000 to which he wasn't entitled

A BENEFITS cheat has been ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid community work.

James Ross, 33, pleaded guilty when he appeared at Wick Sheriff Court today.

He was said to have received employment and support-related payments but failed to advise the Department of Pensions of earnings from work as a fisherman.

The fraud involving a total of £5000, occurred between January 19 and October 13, 2015.
The court was told that he had accepted the offer of a job which was never intended to be long term.

Ross, of 11 Sinclair Drive, Wick, was said to have repaid £825 and intended to continue making repayments to clear the total.

Sheriff Andrew Berry commented that, unlike many such offenders, the accused had accepted responsibility for the offence at an early stage.