Robert McEwan duped the Department For Work and Pensions (DWP) out of the money over a 19-month period ending in February this year.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last Tuesday how the 43-year-old was claiming Job Seeker's Allowance whilst on a full-time, zero hours contract with a company called, Brightwork.

But, McEwan, of Tullichewan Crescent, had lied to the DWP, telling them was not working. He previously admitted claiming £4,962.22 he was not entitled to.

Defending, Bert Thomson told the court his client was a “first offender in the truest sense of the word,” confirming his client had not been in trouble since the incident.

He told the court that McEwan's zero hour contract meant that he sometimes had the maximum amount of work per week he was allowed to on such a contract, but on other times had none.

However, this did not mean he was free to find other work with other companies in a slump period. The court heard how McEwan had signed on to counteract this.

Mr Thomson added: “Since this happened, he has made extensive efforts to repay the debt and he has taken money out on his credit card in order to do this. I believe he has paid back somewhere in the region of £2,500.

“Credit card companies can be quite unforgiving in their pursuit of debt, but he is up to date with his payments. He didn't want the public purse to suffer.” Mr Thomson then produced a letter from McEwan's employers who provided a testimonial on his character and work ethic, proving him to be an “extremely responsible citizen” until this incident.

Sheriff Colin McKay said it was “most unfortunate” that McEwan found himself in front of the courts for the first time at his age.

He added: “However, what you allowed to happen was a serious matter and amounted a significant amount of money.” The benefits cheat was ordered to complete 120 unpaid hours within three months.