A dad stole his family benefit cash then walked out on his partner and six kids to move in with his neighbour.
Gary Meikle pocketed the NHS Healthy Start card intended to buy baby milk and healthy food, then took it to a petrol station and convenience store where he loaded up on £500 worth of cigarettes and booze.
The 33-year-old's shocking actions landed him in court after police were granted a search warrant for a house in Kilwinning where he was living with his new partner, the Daily Record reports. He told officers he had the card in his pocket and they confiscated it.
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He was ordered by Kilmarnock Sheriff Court to pay his ex Tracey £500 in compensation for the fraud.
A friend of Tracey's, who contacted the Record, said Meikle has been lying low and has had virtually no contact with his six children despite living so close.
The friend said: "Tracey was unaware of any major problems in the marriage but Gary moved out in June 2021, when she was four months pregnant with their sixth child.
"He's abandoned her with the kids then robbed the money for the baby's milk. It's disgusting.
"She found out he was basically lying low after that. Tracey thinks he had his own flat for a bit but ended up back with his new partner."
The friend added: "He hasn't spent a penny on birthday or Christmas presents, not even a card.
"It's hard to imagine there is a worse dad in Scotland."
The charge against him stated he showed up at a garage in Kilwinning with the Healthy Start card, which he said was his.
The complaint specifically acknowledged that the card was meant for baby milk.
At an earlier hearing, Meikle tried to say Tracey had given him permission to spend the benefit cash but a sheriff refused to believe him.
It is understood he still hasn't paid a penny of it back.
Meikle was also given a two-year non-harassment order.
When the Record emailed Meikle to get his side of the story, he got his mother Roseanne to call our reporter.
She said: "He is quite upset and doesn't want to say anything."
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