Cheat made false claims

A WARRINGTON man who falsely claimed £4,971 in benefits has been sentenced to a curfew order – and ordered to pay back the overpayment.
James Neary, aged 54 of Colwyn Close, Callands, pleaded guilty to benefit fraud. He received a two-month curfew between 7pm and 7am and was ordered to pay legal costs of £350.
The court was told that between March 2005 and December 2006, Neary defrauded Warrington Borough Council of £4,971 in housing benefit. He made false statements and failed to report that his incapacity benefit had ceased in June 2005 and he had been in paid employment.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “There are no ifs, no buts when it comes to benefit fraud. Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing.
“That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves. This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.”