Inverkip man Robert Smith unlawfully obtained more than £9,500 in jobseeker’s allowance payments during a period of more than three years, Greenock Sheriff Court was told.

The 47-year-old fraudster admitted making false statements or representations to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to get money he was not entitled to.

Smith claimed in court that the bank account he had concealed from government officials was set up for him by his father when he was a child and that he didn’t know how much money was in it.

Defence lawyer Edward Sweeney told Sheriff Robert Vaughan: “This is a slightly unusual situation. “The money he had in the account was accrued over many years by his father and was opened for Mr Smith when he was at a young age.

“Mr Smith had knowledge that the account existed but not the exact amount held within it.

“His father had retained the passbook.” Mr Sweeney added: “Mr Smith admits that he should have declared knowledge of the account to the DWP.

“It was in excess of the £16,000 limit and had £22,000 lodged within it.” The court heard how first offender Smith has now repaid all of the £9,541 that he illegally claimed.

He committed the offence on various occasions between February 2011 and March 2014.

The court heard that Smith is now back in full-time employment.

Sheriff Robert Vaughan told him: “A false declaration to obtain benefit by fraud is a serious matter.

“I am told that you have paid the money back and that you have no previous convictions.

“I am sure this has been a humiliating experience for you, and so it should be.” Smith, of Willow Place, was fined £500 and ordered to pay within seven days.