A COWDENBEATH woman who fiddled more than £14,000 in tax credit has been jailed for five months.

Sheriff William Wood compared Jacqueline Dinah Ann Sandilands’ “duplicity” to “walking into a bank and walking out with £14,000”.

Sandilands (26), of Weir Avenue, was led sobbing from the dock after she was sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday.

She admitted that between 30th August 2011 and 15th January 2014, at 20 Westerton in Cowie; and 6 Abbey Street in High Valleyfield; she knowingly made a false statement or representation on a tax credit telephone claim dated 30th August 2011, with a view to obtaining benefits or other payments or advantages under under the relevant social security legislation.

She claimed that she had separated from her husband, Ewan Sandilands, and no longer lived at the marital home at Weir Avenue – but continued doing so.

Her husband was employed and receiving earnings, and Sandilands received tax credit of £14,333.93 which she was not entitled to.

Fiscal depute, Andrew Richardson, said there were allegations which resulted in various checks by the Department of Work and Pensions.

He added, “There was an investigation which confirmed that the accused had indeed not separated and was staying together.” Solicitor, Ian Beatson, confirmed Sandilands was in a relationship with her husband but “she had some financial difficulties and very much regrets her actions”.

In sentencing, Sheriff William Wood underlined that Sandilands had stolen from the public purse.

He said, “Taking into account the length of time you maintained the lie and the amount of were able to get, only a custodial sentence would be appropriate.”