Fraud man caught

A KILSYTH resident has been found guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court of receiving more than £4000 in benefits that he wasn’t entitled to.

The man will now have to pay back just over £4408 – £3708 in housing benefit and £700 in council tax benefit – and serve 100 hours’ community service following sentencing on June 22.

The conviction follows an investigation by North Lanarkshire Council’s benefit fraud team.

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Andrew McLean, sanctions and fraud manager, said: “Benefit fraud is a serious crime and our officers will thoroughly investigate and pursue prosecution of illegal claimants.

“We carry out regular checks on information to support benefit claims and we investigate any claims of alleged fraud.“

And Mr McLean declared: “The council and courts treat bogus claims very seriously.

People should be in no doubt that they will get caught if they are claiming money they aren’t entitled to.”

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Anyone with information on suspected fraud is urged to call the benefit hotline on 0800 953 0400.

This telephone number offers members of the public access to a 24-hour-a-day answering service.

The hotline is staffed by investigation officers during office hours of 9am to 5pm.