Benefits cheat was paid £5k after lying about not having job

Blackburn magistrates heard Leon Elson that had held a job for over three years when he answered “no” to the question whether he or his partner was in work.

Elson, of Catlow Terrace, Barrow, pleaded guilty to making a false statement to obtain housing and council tax benefits and jobseekers’ allowance.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months, ordered to do 40 hours’ unpaid work and pay £560 in costs.

The court heard there had been a total overpayment of £5,000.

Mr Gareth Price (defending) said that Elson had moved into a new flat, but had miscalculated how much it would cost.

“He was very short of money and these offences were committed out of desperation,” said Mr Price.