A Dumbarton pensioner was told she has done the community a “disservice” after falsely claiming £23,000 worth of benefits.
Matilda Gildea, 75, did not inform the Department for Work and Pensions that she was married to and living with her husband which affected her eligibility for pension credit.
As a result Gildea, of Bontine Avenue, claimed £23,000 between March 2009 and June 2016 which she was not entitled to.
The pensioner pled guilty to the offence when she appeared before Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.
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Fiscal depute Joanne Gilmore told the court: “The circumstances are that in August 2003 the accused claimed what was then called a minimum income guarantee. She said she did not have a partner in the household and she signed the declaration.
“On August 9, 2016 information was received by DWP that she was living with her partner. Enquiries were carried out and it was established there was a financial agreement between them by way of a bank account.
“In addition enquiries were made into the partner’s pension scheme and it was filed to the same address as Matilda Gildea’s.”
Ms Gilmore added: “In July 2017 there had been no repayments but she has now repaid back some of her pension credit.
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“In November 2016 she attended for interview at DWP and there she was interviewed and admitted receiving payments of pension credits then after further conversation with her solicitor she gave no comment answers.”
Gildea’s solicitor Jonathan Paul said he would speak further on her behave once reports have been prepared for the court.
Addressing her, Sheriff William Gallacher said: “What remains before me is a very serious matter. The community only have finite resources and those who take what they are not entitled to do the community a disservice.”
Sentencing was deferred until June 4.
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