A benefit fraudster has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service after claiming more than £2,000.

Steven Karley of Whitby Gardens, Sutton, pleaded guilty to making false statements in order to obtain income support, job seekers allowance and housing and council tax benefit.

The court heard Karley claimed benefits as a single adult with no income when he returned to work as a Domestic Helper in August 2012 and failed to declare it to the council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

This resulted in an overpayment of Benefit totalling £2,156.

Karley appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court, on February 3, and in passing his sentence the Magistrates said: “We have to take into consideration that you have changed your plea from not guilty to guilty which has saved wasting the Courts time. However this is a serious offence against the public purse.”

Councillor Richard Clifton, Sutton’s lead councillor on revenue and benefits, said: “We are pleased the work of our investigation team is getting results and they will continue to find all those who steal benefits.

“It is imperative that we catch people that are cheating the system – those who steal benefits are picking the pockets of law-abiding taxpayers.”

If you think someone is claiming benefits they are not entitled to, call the council's investigation team, confidentially, on 020 8770 5687 or visit sutton.gov.uk.

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