An Aberdeen man who falsely claimed almost £4,500 in benefits has been sentenced to unpaid work.
David Elrick had a job as a sales assistant in Dobbies, between March 21 2016 and January 20 2017, while claiming employment and support allowance.
The 39-year-old failed to declare his employment to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and claimed £4,465.41 he was not entitled to.
He appeared yesterday at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing having previously pled guilty to the offence.
Elrick also previously admitted stealing watches from John Lewis on George Street on October 19 2017.
He also took alcohol from the King Street Lidl store on October 20 this year.
Fiscal depute Lynzi Souter said the watches were valued at just under £330, while the alcohol he took was worth £13.13.
The watches and booze were recovered.
Defence agent Lynn Bentley said: “The underlying problem with Mr Elrick has been a relapse back into the use of non-prescription drugs.”
She added he had previously benefited from a spell with the Teen Challenge addiction recovery centre and had been accepted into it again.
Sheriff Ian Wallace ordered Elrick, whose address was given in court papers as Great Northern Road, Aberdeen, to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within nine months.
He was also handed a 12-month supervision order.
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