A GRANDAD who cheated the authorities out of nearly £7,000 in benefits has been sentenced to a 80-day curfew.

Robert Carson claimed housing and council tax benefits which he was not entitled to for more than five years.

The 54-year-old failed to tell the authorities he no longer qualified as he lived with his wife.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard the deception started in November 2006 and lasted until September 2012 during which time Carson cheated his way to £6,783 of cash handouts by neglecting to tell the Department of Work and Pensions he was living with his wife in Vanguard Street, Clydebank.

Carson appeared at court last week and pleaded guilty to the offence.

Carson’s lawyer, Philip Lafferty, said Carson had been suffering from ill health for some time and a recent operation had left him with an open wound.

He said that Carson, who uses a walking aid, was not likely to be able to carry out unpaid work.

He added that a curfew would make it difficult for him to visit his five grandchildren, aged between seven and 11.

Sheriff Rafferty told Carson: “This is a substantial amount of money, £6,700, over a period from 2016 to 2012.

“In normal circumstances that would normally attract a custodial sentence.” He said that given Carson’s situation and because repayments were being made he would impose a sentence of a curfew between 5pm and 5am for 80 days."