A WOMAN has been admonished for a £53,000 benefits fraud because of her failing health.

Jean Hutt had received pension payments for her mother for years after her death at addresses in Ballingry and Cardenden.

She failed to report her mum’s death to the benefits authorities and so the payments continued for almost a decade.

Hutt, 65, of Lawson Gardens, Kirkcaldy, was not present for her sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She admitted that between April 12, 2008, and October 18, 2017, at addresses in Dunfermline, Ballingry, Kirkcaldy, Cardenden, Dysart, Methil, being the recipient of state pension, she failed to give prompt notification to the Department of Work and Pensions of the death of Jean Baillie on April 12, 2008, and received £53,068.16 to which she was not entitled.

Sheriff Alastair Brown had previously called for reports when she made her guilty plea in January. She had been scheduled to be sentenced in February initially but that was delayed.

The court heard that since her last appearance, Hutt’s mental and physical health had deteriorated significantly. She was taken into intensive care in hospital recently following a fall.

Sheriff Brown said in these particular circumstances he would admonish Hutt.