This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7401317.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Man jailed over 36 children claim Man jailed over 36 children claim
(about 1 hour later)
A father-of-two who fraudulently claimed almost £80,000 in benefits for 36 children has been jailed.A father-of-two who fraudulently claimed almost £80,000 in benefits for 36 children has been jailed.
Irvin Fraser, 30, claimed child tax credits over three years from two addresses in Aberdeen.Irvin Fraser, 30, claimed child tax credits over three years from two addresses in Aberdeen.
Fraser induced HM Revenue to make payments totalling £79,718. He was jailed for 13 months at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.Fraser induced HM Revenue to make payments totalling £79,718. He was jailed for 13 months at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Sheriff Alexander Jessop said it was a "whacking" amount to be paid, and expressed surprise it was not detected.Sheriff Alexander Jessop said it was a "whacking" amount to be paid, and expressed surprise it was not detected.
Fraser admitted making fraudulent claims from Tullos Circle and Abbey Road between November 2003, and June 2006.Fraser admitted making fraudulent claims from Tullos Circle and Abbey Road between November 2003, and June 2006.
Fraser explained: "I was claiming child tax credit for my son and just added another name by chance. I wanted to stop but it just snowballed and spiralled out of control Irvin FraserFraser explained: "I was claiming child tax credit for my son and just added another name by chance. I wanted to stop but it just snowballed and spiralled out of control Irvin Fraser
"They never asked for any documents. It went on for two years and I got away with it."They never asked for any documents. It went on for two years and I got away with it.
"I couldn't understand why they did not pick up on it. How could someone claim to have so many children but not be old enough to have them?""I couldn't understand why they did not pick up on it. How could someone claim to have so many children but not be old enough to have them?"
He said: "I wanted to stop but it just snowballed and spiralled out of control. I withdrew my last claim but they still paid £4,000 into the bank account.He said: "I wanted to stop but it just snowballed and spiralled out of control. I withdrew my last claim but they still paid £4,000 into the bank account.
"I stupidly spent it, and that's when I got caught.""I stupidly spent it, and that's when I got caught."
Spending spreeSpending spree
Fraser said he went on spending sprees buying clothes, toys and other products to "spoil his children rotten".Fraser said he went on spending sprees buying clothes, toys and other products to "spoil his children rotten".
He said he also spent thousands of pounds on his wedding at Duthie Park's Winter Gardens in 2005.He said he also spent thousands of pounds on his wedding at Duthie Park's Winter Gardens in 2005.
Fraser's lawyer, Shane Campbell, told the court the case may have seen methods of keeping a check and verifying claims of this particular nature being revised.Fraser's lawyer, Shane Campbell, told the court the case may have seen methods of keeping a check and verifying claims of this particular nature being revised.
It's an extraordinary case, someone should have spotted it Frank DoranAberdeen North MPIt's an extraordinary case, someone should have spotted it Frank DoranAberdeen North MP
Mr Campbell said: "But that's how easy it was for him to become involved."Mr Campbell said: "But that's how easy it was for him to become involved."
Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran said serious questions had to asked why such a "Guinness Book of Records" case involving claims of 36 children could be allowed to happen. Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran said serious questions had to be asked why such a "Guinness Book of Records" case involving claims of 36 children could be allowed to happen.
He said: "It's an extraordinary case, someone should have spotted it. There should be alarm bells ringing."He said: "It's an extraordinary case, someone should have spotted it. There should be alarm bells ringing."
A HM Revenue and Customs spokesman said it had systems in place for checking on fraud and that the majority of claimants were honest. 'Public purse'
He said: "We have taken in various measures to combat organised attacks on the system. HMRC assistant director of investigation in Scotland, Anne-Marie Gordon, said: "This case shows that the defendant deliberately claimed tax credits to which he was not entitled, in a premeditated attack on the tax credits system.
"This is one that slipped through the net, it took us a while but we got him in the end." "Making fraudulent tax credit claims is not a victimless crime and he had little consideration for the public purse.
"This investigation has shown our determination to seek out people who are tempted to cheat the tax credit system by submitting fraudulent claims."
She added: "The vast majority of tax credits claimants are honest and claim only what they are entitled to, but those who believe that they can cheat the system without consideration or second thought should think again.
"The sentence reflects the seriousness with which the courts take this type of offence."
Not guilty pleas from co-accused Annette Fraser, 37, were accepted.Not guilty pleas from co-accused Annette Fraser, 37, were accepted.