Scots husband and wife company owners face £250,0000 fraud charges

Andrew and Caroline Thomson are said to have formed the scheme that between April 1, 2008 and November 30, 2011 saw them attempt to convince the government department that that Mr Thomson needed the services of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters eight hours a day, five days a week, so he could work at his company Sign-now.Com.

The allegations also claim Mrs Thomson made a similar request for BSL interpreters six hours a day, five days a week, so she could carry out a self-employed role at Online Advocacy Services; while a third person self-employed at Sign-now.com, Dean Humphreys, was said to need interpreters six hours a day, five days a week – but allegedly not requiring assistance.

It is alleged the Thomsons failed to disclose to the DWP the organisation they had engaged to supply the interpreters – The Interpreting Agency Limited – was wholly owned and operated by them.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court, lawyers for Andrew Thomson, 51, and Caroline Thomson, 52, of Stephens Croft, New Carron, Falkirk, confirmed the couple’s pleas of not guilty to the charges.