A BLAIRHALL benefits cheat fraudulently pocketed more than £5,600 over two years after racking up mail order catalogue debts.

Elizabeth Harrower, of 21 Wilson Street, admitted that between April 2, 2013, and March 10, 2015, at her address and 20 Bowling Green Wynd, she knowingly failed to give notification to the DWP of a change of circumstances which she knew affected her entitlement to job seeker's allowance and employment and support allowance, in that she commenced paid employment, and obtained £5,684.10 to which she was not entitled.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard last Wednesday that Harrower, 48, had amassed debts from the catalogues.

Solicitor Abby McMurtrie said: “That was the reason for claiming the benefits. She knew it was wrong to do it at the time and it was not the best option. 

“She was unaware of agencies that could have helped her with her debts. She is extremely embarrassed by her offending and is extremely apologetic.”

Ms McMurtrie said Harrower, who works at Rosyth Dockyard but is currently on sick leave, had paid back £480, “which leaves her her £5,200 outstanding”.

Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a community payback order with 120 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months, as a direct alternative to custody.