Benefit cheat stole nearly £28k in tax cash - but is given nearly 500 years to pay it back

A benefits cheat has been convicted of stealing nearly £28,000, but has now been given nearly 500 years to pay back the cash.

Lesleyann McLean, 44, had been living with her husband while illegally claiming she had been living alone.

Perth Sheriff Court ordered McLean to pay back the tax cash at a rate of £5 per month - less than a Netflix subscription.

The plan means McLean will take more than 465 years to repay her ill-gotten gains, and is set to fully return the funds when she turns 510.

She admitted she had failed to report a changes in circumstances to the DWP between July 27, 2020 and November 4, 2023.

McLean, from Scone, filled out several Universal Credit forms claiming to be single and alone.

But in fact, she was living with Barry McLean and receiving an unentitled £27,908, the Daily Mail reported.

Rather than a prison sentence, McLean was given a 12-month curfew by Sheriff William Wood.

He said: "Fraud of this kind affects all of us because it means there is more money for you that you are not entitled to – and less for the other people who are entitled to it.

"It could be used for other services or things the Government provides.

"There was a change of circumstances you ought to have told them about and you ignored that."

Defending, Kirsty Watson told the court: "She accepts this is a serious matter and the overpayment was £27,908. The offending continued from July 2020 to November 2023 and she does not seek to minimise the amount or duration.

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"The claim was not fraudulent from the outset. She and her husband had separated.

"Once she made the Universal Credit claim the relationship resumed and she failed to notify DWP."

The lawyer insisted the thousands of pounds had not been used to fund a lavish lifestyle - instead it was spent on household bills and normal living expenses.

"Her husband was working full-time, but she was carrying a disproportionate share of the household expenditure," Ms Watson said.

The money was used to support her adult son, who was struggling with drug addiction and debts, the court heard.

Ms Watson added: "There was no sophistication, significant planning or abuse of trust involving others.

"I accept the duration of the offending is an aggravating factor.

"Against that is a completely clean record, remorse, significant health difficulties, financial pressure and domestic abuse. She is a first offender."