Court / Benefit fraud results in supervision order
A WOMAN has been placed under supervision for 15 months after admitting benefit fraud.
Kathryn Miller, of Burraness, Mossbank, previously admitted obtaining around £11,000 in disability living allowance she was not entitled to between 7 March 2016 and 27 November 2018.
The 49-year-old also pleaded guilty to receiving carers allowance of almost £7,000 which she was not entitled to during the same dates.
The offences stemmed from failing to inform the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) about changes in her circumstances.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday that the likelihood was that the money would be paid back.
He said during the time period Miller accepted that her health was fluctuating and that she had a responsibility to inform the DWP.
Kelly said it was not a “blatant fraud” and more was an instance of failing to report improvements and an “over exaggeration” when it came to submissions to the DWP.
He said Miller felt “shame and embarrassment” over her conduct.
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
