A couple who fraudulently claimed £23,000 worth of benefits have been caught and fined.

Thomas and Eileen Beehan, of Meadow Walk, Epsom, pleaded guilty to eight and four charges of benefit fraud at Redhill Magistrates’ Court.

They were charged after an investigation by Epsom and Ewell Council and the Department of Work and Pensions - to whom they had failed to declare all their capital.

Their undeclared accounts were identified by government data matching, which compares benefit records with other data.

The court heard that all over-payments had been fully repaid before the trial, which was taken into account when the couple were sentenced on June 29.

They received a £5,400 fine plus costs and victim surcharges.

Councillor Neil Dallen, chairman of the strategy and resources committee, said: "Anyone receiving benefit must declare their correct circumstances.

"Not only does the council have robust anti-fraud measures in place, but from later in the year anyone failing to declare changes may face financial penalties, even if no fraud has been found".

Epsom and Ewell Council said it uses many methods to detect and investigate potential abuse of benefit schemes and information from the public is crucial.

Anyone with information can call the fraud hotline confidentially on 01372 732275.