Sentence deferred on Alness man who received benefit he wasn't entitled to
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Sentence on a man who defrauded taxpayers of more than £5000 has been deferred for a year to allow him to pay back the money.
Daniel Stott (40), of Wallace Ross Place, Alness, had been receiving Employment and Support Allowance and housing benefit because he was unemployed.
But when he did find a job, he did not inform the organisations involved – the Department of Work and Pensions and the Highland Council, Tain Sheriff Court was told.
Stott, who had no legal representation, admitted receiving £3596 in Employment and support Allowance and £1882 in housing benefit to which he was not entitled between July 2018 and February 2019.
The first offender said he had not known how his new job would work out and did not tell the DWP and council as a “safeguard”.
He said: “It was a mistake and I am here to get it sorted and pay it back. I have made arrangements to pay it back. I am back full-time working.”
Sheriff Gary Aitken deferred sentence until August 30 next year.