Court hears about tragic life of Highland benefits cheat

A Highland sheriff has taken a sympathetic line with a benefits cheat after hearing about her troubled and tragic life.

Sharon Moore, 49, lost her partner, her mother and her father within a four years period and, although she inherited substantial sums of money, the cash soon ran out and she was diagnosed with depression.

Wick Sheriff Court was told yesterday that Moore was living at St Clair Avenue in Thurso at the time of the offence, between 2012 and 2015, but had since relocated to Auldton Terrace, Ashgill, Larkhall, with a new partner.

Fiscal Fraser Matheson said that the accused received £19,385 in employment support allowances but failed to disclose she had capital in excess of the permitted £16,000, and also did not declare a pension.

Social worker Alan Easton outlined what he described as “a sad story” and appealed to Sheriff Andrew Berry to consider admonishing Moore, who pleaded guilty.

Sheriff Berry said that he would continue the case for six months to “allow the accused a settled period in her life” and also to demonstrate she could stay out of trouble.