A Renfrewshire man admitted claiming benefits on his mum’s behalf she was not entitled to - by failing to disclose all her savings while having Power of Attorney over her.

Stewart Connelly was authorised to act on behalf of his mother, Amelia Connelly, of Simons Crescent, Renfrew, between June 2015 and February this year.

He told Renfrewshire Council she had a bank account which contained £6,367 in savings, but she actually had six other accounts and savings totalling more than £43,000, taking her over the £16,000 allowance for people being allowed to claim Housing Benefit.

This led her to obtain £12,000 in Housing Benefit she was not entitled to.

The Department of Work and Pensions launched an investigation after it received a tip-off his mother had more in savings than had been submitted.

The probe revealed the extra £37,000 in her accounts and led to Stewart, 56, being prosecuted.

At Paisley Sheriff Court last week, he admitted his guilt. 
Procurator Fiscal Depute Pamela Flynn told the court a claim had been made on Mrs Connelly’s behalf in 2015 - before Stewart got Power of Attorney over her.

She said: “On October 28, 2016, the accused reported a change of circumstances. He advised her savings had slightly changed.”

He informed the DWP she had around £6,300 in savings but did not mention her other six accounts. 
Miss Flynn added: “There was a referral to the DWP alleging his mother had savings. They made enquiries with Halifax Bank of Scotland and found with them seven accounts, with a total of £43,000 within.”

Defence solicitor Manus Tolland said Connelly had been living in London but had moved back to Scotland and was given the legal power over his mother, who passed away last month. He said Connelly “didn’t make proper investigations” into his mother’s finances and the money had since been repaid.

Sheriff Seith Ireland called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing, and confirmation on whether the sum had been paid back, and adjourned the case until later this month.