Pensioner's £2.5k benefits fraud

Graham Warren, 67, of Holmfield Road, North Shore, admitted two offences of failing to to inform Blackpool Council and the Department of Work and Pensions about a change in his circumstances.

As a result he was overpaid £2,486 in Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, prosecutor Pam Smith told Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

She said Warren had repaid what he owed to the local authority and had a repayment programme in place with the DWP.

He had not revealed the fact that his partner had started work as a housekeeping assistant at the Doric Hotel, Blackpool where he could earn up to £200 a week.

Warren told the court the had nothing to say about the matter. He was placed on an eight-week curfew and ordered to pay £60 surcharge.