Strathearn man claimed cash in dead dad’s name

Jul 3 2009 by Les Stewart, Strathearn Herald

A STRATHEARN man claimed thousands of pounds in benefits in his father’s name for a year after the man died.

Cash-strapped John Neill (63), of Alltruighe, Amulree, even used £1620 of the cash to pay for his dad’s funeral, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

Neill had originally been charged with fraudulently receiving £11,266 but a guilty plea was accepted to a much reduced amount of £3660.

He admitted failing to promptly notify Perth and Kinross Council that his father Terrance had passed away in September, 2005.

The court heard that Terrance Neill originally lived in Gloucestershire but moved up to Scotland in 2003. The accused was staying in Forgandenny at the time and his father rented a flat in Bridge of Earn. Mr Neill arranged for his son to act as his agent in relation to benefit matters.

Mr Neill moved to Parkdale Nursing Home in Auchterarder in March 2005 and died in September that year but the authorities were not notified – and the benefits continued to arrive in the dead man’s bank account.

When the accused was quizzed by police he initially denied taking the cash via an ATM machine.

But very quickly he owned up, saying he had financial difficulties.

Solicitor Fred Blackie said Terrance had given his son his bank card to enable him to make withdrawals for shopping, etc.

The agent said: “He realised the error of his ways about a year after his father’s death when he received a letter from the council with an annual review of his benefits position.”

He realised the council had continued to pay the benefits, panicked and chopped up the bank card.

“It is very unfortunate that a man of his age and previous good character finds himself here today,” added Mr Blackie. “He does accept he did not act properly and, with the benefit of hindsight, would not have acted the way he did.”

Sheriff Michael Fletcher deferred sentence until next June and told the accused to repay the cash at the rate of £100 a month.

Neill was also ordered to be of good behaviour.