A British woman faces a repayment period of nearly 500 years for fraudulently claiming almost £28,000 in benefits. Lesleyann McLean, 44, failed to declare that she was living with her husband to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), illegally obtaining the sum between July 2020 and November 2023.
Perth Sheriff Court heard that McLean is repaying the money at a rate of £5 per month from her existing benefits. At this rate, the full amount will not be repaid until she is 510 years old, a period of over 465 years. The court was told that McLean admitted to completing Universal Credit claim forms stating she was single and living alone, when in fact she was cohabiting with her husband, Barry McLean.
Sheriff William Wood sentenced McLean to a 12-month curfew as an alternative to jail time. He emphasized that such fraud impacts all citizens by diverting funds intended for those genuinely in need. "Fraud of this kind affects all of us because it means there is more money for you that you are not entitled to – and less for the other people who are entitled to it," the sheriff stated.
Kirsty Watson, McLean's defense, informed the court that McLean accepts the seriousness of the matter and does not seek to minimize the amount or duration of the offense. She explained that the relationship with her husband had initially separated but resumed after McLean had already claimed Universal Credit, and she failed to notify the DWP of the change in circumstances.
Watson also noted that the funds were not used for a lavish lifestyle but primarily for household bills and ordinary living expenses. McLean's husband was employed full-time, but she reportedly carried a disproportionate share of the household costs. Additionally, McLean was providing financial support to her adult son, who was struggling with drug addiction and debt, adding to her financial pressures.
The defense highlighted McLean's clean record, remorse, significant health difficulties, financial pressures, and history of domestic abuse as mitigating factors. She was described as a first-time offender. The court acknowledged that the duration of the offending was an aggravating factor.