A 36-year-old Stourport man who cheated Wyre Forest District Council out of more than £2,500 in benefits has been fined by magistrates.

Andrew Edward Jones, of Victory Close, appeared before Kidderminster magistrates on Tuesday last week.

The court heard housing and council tax benefit was awarded to Jones when he was receiving Job Seekers' Allowance but he failed to tell the benefits section when he found a job.

Jones pleaded guilty to failing to notify the benefit section of a change in his circumstances. He was overpaid £2,563.56 in housing and council tax benefit.

Magistrates gave Jones a £500 fine and ordered him to pay costs of £322.92.

He will also be repaying the council the money he fraudulently obtained.

Councillor John-Paul Campion, Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs, said: "Wyre Forest District Council takes benefit fraud seriously and will continue to prosecute those who deliberately abuse the benefit scheme.

"The authority is protecting public funds by preventing and detecting benefit fraud."

The district council has a confidential benefit fraud hotline for reports of suspected false claims. The number people should ring is 01562 732658.

Meanwhile, the council is keen to ensure genuine claimants receive the benefits they are entitled to.

More information about benefits is available from the council offices on 01562 820505.