Community payback for false claim

A WOMAN from Lerwick who defrauded nearly £11,000 from the government has been sentenced to an 18 month supervised community payback order.

Susan Tolland, 48, of Sandveien, had earlier admitted claiming £10,802 from the Department of Work and Pensions after failing to declare receipt of a work pension.

Defence agent Tommy Allan told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that Tolland had made the claim during the course of a telephone conversation with the department.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank considered a social work report and said that at the time of the false declaration Tolland had been in an “extremely vulnerable” state and had a great many health difficulties. She had also repaid much of the money.

He said that making false claims would normally attract a custodial sentence but in view of Tolland’s circumstances a community payback order with supervision was more appropriate.