REDDITCH Council prosecuted a Batchley man for benefit fraud at Redditch Magistrates Court.
William Hoskins, 73, of Poplar Road, attended court and pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming £8,036.44 in housing benefit and council tax benefit between March 3, 2003 and July 3, 2005 while he was working as a valeter and driver for a vehicle hire company.
The magistrates heard Mr Hoskins thought he would ''get away'' with the offences going undetected.
But when investigations began, he fully co-operated with the case, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and began making repayments.
He was sentenced to a 120-hour community punishment order on November 15 and given a compensation order to repay the balance still owing on the overpayment, plus £100 towards prosecution costs.
Anybody wishing to report suspected benefit fraud can call the council fraud hotline on 534164, the national hotline on 0800 328 6341.
Or email benefitsfraud@redditchbc.gov.uk
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