A Dundee woman who was caught falsely claiming £20,000 worth of child tax benefits when she put family holiday photos on Facebook has been placed under two court orders.
Dundee Sheriff Court previously heard how cleaner Joanna Pawlicka spent more than five years claiming benefits to which she was not entitled.
An investigation was launched after the benefits agency was given a tip-off Pawlicka was living with her husband Dawid Borucki at Fintry Road and he was working full-time.
When they were quizzed, Mr Borucki claimed they were no longer living as a married couple and said he was mainly living in his van throughout the claim period.
He said he would sometimes return to the house to give his wife his dirty washing and did not consider their period together in London to be family holidays.
HMRC probe
The court previously heard an HMRC investigation discovered Mr Borucki had continued to list his wife as next-of-kin and used the family home as his address.
Fiscal depute Marie Lyons told the court: “The accused was receiving his wages into her bank account and used it to pay the bills and expenses.
“Had she reported her partner to be still living with her she would no longer have been entitled to benefits.
“The DWP received information he was living with her as husband and wife.
“He confirmed they married in 2009. He said they tried numerous times to reconcile but it never worked out.
“He said he occasionally stayed a couple of nights or weeks but it was volatile and they fell out.”
Bank account and phone in accused’s name
She said: “He confirmed his wages would go to her bank account and then she would give him his wages.
“He said he kept his clothes in his work van.
“She would offer to wash the clothes and he would have meals with her and the girls.
“His mobile phone was in her name.
“There were a lot of family photos, including together in London.
“Despite all the evidence produced, he continued to deny they were living together as husband and wife.
“It was pointed out that this appeared to be their normal way of life.
“They were together the majority of the time.”
Sentencing
Pawlicka admitted fraudulently claiming £20,000 between 2013 and 2018, having originally faced allegations the figure was more than £50,000.
Pawlicka, aided in the dock by an interpreter, was sentenced by Sheriff Alastair Carmichael.
The sheriff told her: “It’s a serious offence.”
Her solicitor Anika Jethwa explained £2,150 had been paid back and she is continuing to make payments.
Sheriff Carmichael placed the 35-year-old under supervision for 15 months and under a 10pm to 7am restriction of liberty order for three months.
He also instructed her to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
