Dundee woman order to pay back £10,000 in benefits

A Dundee woman has been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds she illegally claimed in benefits.

Sharon Taylor, 41, was found guilty in October 2011 of claiming Severe Disablement Allowance for five years, while working for NHS Tayside.

Taylor was given two years probation for making the claims while working as a domestic assistant at Ninewells Hospital.

She has now been issued with a confiscation order for £10,000.

Lindsey Miller, Head of the Serious and Organised Crime Division (SOCD), said: "Sharon Taylor claimed Severe Disablement Allowance for over five years, while at the same time working as a domestic assistant.

"By taking benefits to which she was not entitled, she stole from those who are genuinely in need.

"Today's confiscation order for £10,000 represents the sum available to the Crown at this time."

The Crown office said since 2003, the Proceeds of Crime Act in Scotland has allowed more than £60m to be recovered from criminals.