A fraudster claimed he had a child with Down’s syndrome in order to dupe people into giving him money.
Shaun Stewart pretended he was doing a sponsored walk to raise money for the child and other youngsters with special needs.
He presented a sponsorship form to several people in Methil and collected £30 from those who kindly supported his “efforts”.
However, his scheme came to the attention of police and Stewart, 27, confessed to the fraud.
He told officers: “I’m struggling because I’m on drugs.”
He was due to stand trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Wednesday, but admitted obtaining money and attempting to obtain money by fraud.
The offence happened on various occasions between September 9 and 14, last year, at addresses in High Street, Kirkland Road and elsewhere.
Stewart also admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at an address in Kirkland Road on September 12, shouting, making an abusive remark, threatening to damage property and struggling with Rachelle Bain.
He is currently serving a prison sentence for a disorder offence and was said to have two previous convictions for crimes of dishonestly.
Reports were requested before he is sentenced.
His solicitor Iain McCafferty told Sheriff Pino Di Emidio: “He is under no illusion that the court will take a dim view of the matters before it.”
Stephanie Vanbeck, 22, was accused of committing the fraud with Stewart but her plea of not guilty was accepted.
However, she admitted a separate fraudulent scheme, claiming to be collecting money for window cleaning.
Vanbeck, of Ossian Crescent, Methil, targeted elderly people, some in their 80s, in the town’s Den Walk, Kirkland Walk, High Street, Kirkland Road, Keir Hardie Street and elsewhere.
Acting with another, she collected £57.50 or thereby as she committed the offence between February 14 and March 26, last year.
Her solicitor David Bell said she was serving a community payback order for a previous conviction and was currently free of drugs.
Sentence was deferred on both accused until February 15.
