Stafford benefits cheat overpaid by more than £7,700

Nicholas Scott admitted to failing to tell Stafford Borough Council that his circumstances had changed.

The offences involved £6,712 of housing benefit, £384 of council tax benefit and £619 local council tax support overpayments between April 2012 and March 2014.

The offences came to light following an investigation by the council who discovered that Scott had failed to declare that his income had increased.

Magistrates in Stafford handed him a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £300.

After the case on Wednesday, Councillor Ken Williamson, cabinet member for resources at the borough council, said: "We are determined to prevent people cheating tax payers out of money they are not entitled to.

"It is unfair on all those people who do pay their dues - and if you do cheat the system you should expect to be caught and could face a prison sentence."

But he added: "We also want to make sure those entitled to benefits get them so please contact us for information and advice if you are unsure about what to do or what you are entitled to."

Scott was ordered to pay all the money back.