Strathearn man spared jail sentence

Oct 10 2008 by Les Stewart, Strathearn Herald

A STRATHEARN man who took part in a £9,000 benefits scam was spared a jail term – because prisons are too overcrowded.

Instead, George Munce (46), of Kincardine Road, Auchterarder, was ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service when he appeared for sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.

He was also ordered to repay the £9,460 he had obtained between April, 2004, and July, 2006.

He fraudulently obtained the Income Support cash by making false statements to the Department of Work and Pensions that he didn’t have a partner living with him when, in fact, he did.

Solicitor Cliff Culley said that the accused had started repaying the cash at the rate of £40 a month.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said: “We are told that the prison population is reaching crisis point. As a result, for a matter which would result in a custodial sentence, I will deal with this by way of an alternative.”