Benefit fraudster who hid partner’s £53,000 salary jailed for a year

Anita Brown, 56, fraudulently claimed benefits for four-and-a-half years before being caught. She said she lived alone with an adult son when in fact her partner, offshore worker Ian Baillie, was living with her and his salary, which covered household expenses, was being paid into their joint bank account.

Ms Brown had her own bank account for employment support allowance (ESA), council tax benefit and housing benefit to be paid into.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard that analysis found the money was used to buy postcode lottery tickets, fund online shopping and pay for a hotel trip.

Ms Brown told investigators that Mr Baillie was merely a “very good friend” while he claimed he “hoped to marry her one day”.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson said: “Mr Baillie listed the accused as his partner, emergency contact and next of kin with his work. He stated in credit card applications that he was the owner of the property and had lived there for 19 years.”

Ms Brown wrongly received £15,000 in council tax and housing benefit and £12,000 in ESA the court heard.

Ms Robertson added: “Mr Baillie claimed during interview he stayed with the accused two or three nights a week. He claimed he lived with his grandmother in Arbroath the remainder of the time when he was onshore until her death in 2012.

“If this were true Mr Baillie’s grandmother would also be guilty of council tax benefit fraud as she received a single occupier’s discount.”

Ms Brown pleaded guilty on indictment to two offences detailed in the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

Larry Flynn, defending, said: “She talks of Mr Baillie as the best friend she’s ever had.

“He talks of her as the love of his life and wanting to marry her. It is an unusual relationship.

“She is not making any repayment as she has no income.

“Anything she could pay back would just be a drop in the ocean.”

Sheriff Elizabeth Munro sentenced her to a year in jail, saying: “I can’t imagine how she could possibly have thought she didn’t have to declare this.

“It was a deliberate, successful, attempt to obtain money which rightfully belongs to taxpayers.”