Crooked ex-cop guilty of £21,000 benefits fraud

May 13 2009 by Graham Mann, East Kilbride News

A DISGRACED policeman claimed £21,000-worth of benefits despite pocketing a Strathclyde Police pension.

Married father-of-four Robert Chestnutt, 51, claimed council tax and housing benefits for six years on his local authority home.

The former cop, who is originally from Belfast, made false claims despite receiving a £500-a-month pension fund and living off his wife Anne's earnings and savings.

He was originally charged with fraudulently claiming £25,813.64, but pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to the reduced amount of £21,000.

Chestnutt, of Kendal Road, Newlandsmuir, had told investigators he took the cash between August 2000 and April 2006 because of crippling financial problems.

He said he owed over £20,000 in credit card debts and loans. Sources revealed Chestnutt - who moved to Glasgow from Northern Ireland in 1977 - had left the police in disgrace in 1991 after being involved in a dishonesty scandal.

One said: "Chestnutt had been on the force for about 14 years until his dismissal.

"He had been involved in an incident where a member of the public had handed in a tax disc to a police office.

"Chestnutt then claimed he had lost the disc but he was caught red-handed with it a couple of months later when another officer found it hidden in his notebook.

"He was charged with reset and breaking road traffic regulations and that was the end of his career in the police.”

On Thursday, a hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court was told by defence lawyer Gerry Devanney that Chestnutt hoped to be allowed to pay back the cash.

He said: "Mr Chestnutt has made several payments to South Lanarkshire Council including a lump sum of £2315.

"He has also made several payments of £280 and just recently made a payment of £300.

"There is a significant burden of debt and Mr Chestnutt recognises that. He knows how seriously the courts take these matters."

Sheriff Marie Smart deferred sentence on Chestnutt until next month and called for background reports.

A spokeswoman for South Lanarkshire Council said: “The successful outcome of this prosecution is down to the quality and integrity of the evidence obtained by the South Lanarkshire Council Fraud Investigation Team.

“As a result of the extensive fraud investigation; reported to South Lanarkshire Council through the Department for Works and Pensions data matching service, the full extent of the fraudulent claim was uncovered. Mr Chestnutt not only failed to report his Police pension but also his wife’s earnings and their savings.

“If you suspect anyone of cheating the benefit system; please call South Lanarkshire Council “Fraud Hotline” on 08000 328 999, 24 hours a day; alternatively you can either complete our online fraud referral available at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk or e-mail us at Benefitfraud@southlanarkshire.gov.uk”