Grangemouth faker lied to cops about assault and robbery to get his benefits

Unfortunately for Charles McIntosh (62), eagle eyed officers spotted him in CCTV footage paying for a phone top up with cash from his wallet – 14 hours after he alleged it had been stolen from him.

McIntosh (62) had no solicitor when he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday after pleading guilty to making false statements to police and wasting their time at his 8 Kingseat Avenue, Grangemouth home on May 25 last year.

Procurator fiscal depute Rachel Wallace said: “The accused made a report to police stating he had been assaulted and knocked unconscious by three males who then stole his wallet, containing £210 in cash.

"He stated this happened on May 24 and he then went into the Spar in Newhouse Road to top up his phone and called the police. Officers attended and took a statement.

"On May 26 they carried out further inquiries into allegations of the robbery, reviewing CCTV and contacting the council. On the same date as the alleged robbery he had gone to the Spar store and purchased top up vouchers for his phone.

"CCTV footage showed him doing this 14 hours after the alleged robbery and at this stage he was in possession of his wallet which clearly contained cash to pay for the top up.”

Accused of wasting police time, McIntosh admitted he had received his employment and support allowance on May 22 and then proceeded to spend it all on drink and drugs over the weekend.

"When he ran out of money he contacted Falkirk Council to apply for a crisis loan,” said the procurator fiscal depute. “He needed a crime number so he reported the robbery to police in an attempt to get it.

"He said he was sorry about what happened he wasn’t in the right frame of mind.”

Defending himself, McIntosh again said he was sorry for what he had done.

Sheriff Derek Livingston fined McIntosh £320 to be paid back at a rate of £10 per week.