Community order for benefits cheat

James Crosby, of Comfrey Road in Stotfold, pleaded guilty at Bedford Magistrates Court to not notifying the council of his wife’s earnings and therefore falsely obtaining housing benefit and council tax benefit worth a total of £2,452.

He will have to complete 90 hours unpaid community work. He will also have to repay the overpaid benefit as well as an additional £200 towards prosecution costs.

Councillor Maurice Jones, executive member for corporate resources at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “We take benefit fraud very seriously and are always vigilant.

“People who commit benefit fraud are taking money which they are not entitled to from the public purse and we will take legal action where appropriate.”