Bideford man, 42, claimed £5k while working

A 42-YEAR-OLD has been fined after illegally claiming nearly £5,000 in income support benefits while he was working 60 hours a week.

Martin Pyatt, of 26 Brennacott Place, Bideford, pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of changes in his circumstances.

Pyatt appeared before North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday .

Ben Winzer, for the prosecution, said the defendant had been unable to work due to depression and illness but then began working in October 2010 without ensuring he was still entitled to receive the same benefits.

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Rod Ball, for the defence, said: "My client's life has been ruined by various illnesses. He stopped working ten years ago and started online gambling. He lost £3,000 and had to get a bank loan.

"He was offered some cleaning work at Asda so he took it to help pay off his debt."

Pyatt was fined £100 and £50 costs and ordered to start repaying the £4,762.33 he owes.