A 50-year-old man has been ordered back to court next month to face sentencing after he failed to tell government officials his partner had a job and lived with him and was claiming more than £3,600 in income support to which he had no right.
Paul Barty has previously admitted to making a false statement to the Department for Work and Pensions claiming he only lived with his mother at 2 Clayton Road in Bridge of Earn between July 8, 2014 and June 1, 2015, while the truth was that his partner was also living with him during this time.
The single charge as set out in court papers says Barty, now of Orchard Way, Inchture, was able to claim a total sum of £3628.95 in income support during the period by failing to mention that his partner was living with him and earning a salary at that time.
Barty used a cane to walk to the dock at Perth Sheriff’s Court last Wednesday when his case was called.
Lawyer Pauline Cullerton told the court Barty had since repaid the full amount of income support he was not entitled to claim, but Sheriff John Rafferty said he could not consider the case close simply because he had repaid the amount.
He called for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and restriction of liberty assessment on Barty and ordered him to return to court next month for sentencing.
Barty is next due in court on April 13.