Sheriff raises concerns over shoplifter who had only £90 a month to live on
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A sheriff has raised concerns about the new Universal Credit system after finding out that a woman caught shoplifting had only £90 a month to survive on, The Courier reports.
Sheriff Alistair Brown at Dundee Sheriff Court was due to sentence Maria Blair, 39, for stealing steaks and chicken from a Marks & Spencer store in Broughty Ferry.
But he deferred sentencing for further reports after finding out she is a foodbank user who has been denied disability benefits.
The court heard that Ms Blair was in only in receipt of Universal Credit and had no more than £90 to live on after paying back an over-payment of Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
Grant Bruce, defending, said: “She has been to foodbanks. She has applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and ESA but that has been refused. She has appealed.
“She is in receipt of Universal Credit and has £90 a month to live on. She is using a fair amount of that to pay the electricity in her home. That is the reason [for committing the offence].”
Sheriff Brown said “is that all she gets? So the defence is she’s stealing food to eat?”, to which Mr Bruce responded “yes”.
Ms Blair pleaded guilty to stealing the food on two occasions, totalling £154 and £204.20 respectively.
Sheriff Brown said: “It is a matter of considerable concern that someone is trying to live on £90 per month.
“That is impossible to do. I’m deferring sentence for criminal justice and social work reports as I want to know what is going on.
“On one hand I’m hearing from the DWP that they are advising of loans being available so that people are not in this position.
“On the other hand I hear from solicitors regularly that that wasn’t working as planned for their clients.”
Sentencing was deferred until February 18.
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