A 57-year-old benefits cheat splashed out almost £10,000 worth of taxpayer cash which he wasn't eligible for after he failed tell authorities about a six-figure inheritance windfall, a court has heard.
Vincent Connelly, 57, from Stirling, had taken in £9,400 of housing and income support over 14 months - despite receiving £100,000 in inheritance from his mother which ruled him out of benefit eligibility.
Connelly had told investigators that he had attempted to call up the local authority about the issue - but hung up after he was left waiting in an over-the-phone hold queue.
The 57-year-old dad had been the sole beneficiary of his late mother's estate, but continued to spend his benefit cheques on new cars and trips abroad.
Stirling Sheriff Court heard how Connelly hid a £100k inheritance windfall from the DWP
Google/PA
Fiscal deputy Lindsey Brooks told Stirling Sheriff Court: "This came to the attention of the council when they received information that the accused had received inheritance following the death of his mother.
"An investigation was carried out with various banks and the accused was invited in for an interview."
Talking about his phone call with the local authority, Brooks said: "He said he knew that it was something he had to report... He said he later forgot about it.
"The accused said he had not had money like this before and went on a spending spree."
MORE ON BENEFIT FRAUDSTERS:
Connelly claimed almost £10,000 in benefit payments from Stirling Council
The court heard Connelly had paid for his mother's funeral, before splurging on a camper van, a new car, a bike, and numerous family holidays.
He pleaded guilty to knowingly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions after a change in his circumstances meant his capital was in excess of £16,000.
Connelly claimed £6,233 of Income Support between July 2021 and October 2022, alongside £3,136 worth of housing benefits from Stirling Council between July 2021 and May 2022.
The 57-year-old's solicitor told the court: "He came into money that he had never seen in his life before.
"He is not in a position to make a lump sum payment - he is happy to comply with a restriction of liberty order."
Sheriff Mark O'Hanlon told Connelly: "This is quite a serious matter.
"You received a large inheritance while you were still claiming benefits."
Sentencing, O'Hanlon handed Connelly a curfew order to stay at home from 7pm to 7am every night.
