A NEW Cumnock man is behind bars after he confessed to defrauding taxpayers of more than £40,000 in benefits over nearly seven years.

William Murphy was jailed last week for lying on an application form - falsely telling officials at East Ayrshire Council and the DWP that he did not own a property.

The 53-year-old admitted dishonestly claiming £20,500 from East Ayrshire Council between October 1, 2012 and June 16, 2019.

Murphy also admitted a second charge of receiving another £20,500 in public money from the Department of Work and Pensions between August 14, 2012 and June 2019.

Murphy admitted making false statements on an East Ayrshire Council housing benefit claim form, stating he did not own a property – when in truth he owned a property in Sandgate Street, Tarbolton.

He made the same false statement when claiming income support from the DWP. Court papers state Murphy dishonestly claimed the support cash while living at Kerrmuir Avenue in Hurlford and at his current address at Meadow Cottages, New Cumnock.

Murphy previously pleaded guilty to both breaches of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

A not guilty plea to failing to appear in court after being indicted on the offences was accepted by prosecutors.

When he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last month [Friday, November 25] sentencing was deferred until for the case to be dealt with by the same judge, Sheriff Alistair Watson, who previously presided.

However Sheriff George Jamieson, who was presiding when the case called, remarked that “£41,000 is probably in the region of prison” according to current sentencing guidelines.

When Murphy returned to court last week [Friday, December] he was told he will serve 14 months in custody.

A further proceeds of crime hearing will be held at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in the new year.