A man has been sentenced to 60 hours of community service after admitting a £4,984 benefit fraud.

Brendan Murphy, of Windsor Road, in Douglas, failed to disclose money he had been receiving while claming benefits as well as work he did for the Isle of Man Steam Packet.

We previously reported how, 48-year-old Murphy started receiving income support benefit in December 2014 based on being a lone parent.In September 2017 information was received suggesting that Murphy had been working and not declaring earnings while claiming benefits.

Enquiries revealed he had been working for the Isle of Man Steam Packet and had also received money from friends and family which had not been declared.

In total, Murphy was said to have received £16,749 between June 2015 and January 2018 which he had not declared.

As a result of him not declaring the money he had received an overpayment in benefits of £4,984.85.

In a basis of plea Murphy disputed the overpayment he had received, claiming that it was £4,344.85 rather than £4,984.85.

Prosecutor Richard Butters said that although the basis was not accepted by the prosecution it would not make a material difference to Murphy’s sentence.

Probation

A probation report said that he was currently advertising for work on social media and had turned up to his probation appointment in what appeared to be a works vehicle despite being signed off sick.

Defence advocate Rebecca Cubbon said her client was already paying back the overpayment at a rate of £20 per week.

Ms Cubbon said Murphy had only worked for the Steam Packet for three weeks earning £250 and had then had to give up the job due to health difficulties and child care issues.

The advocate said her client employed other people to do the work which he was advertising for and the vehicle he was driving was a friend’s.

’He accepts that he did do some ad hoc labour and the amount that has gone through the account, but he believes the amount he received would be substantially less after costs of plant hire and employing people,’ said Ms Cubbon.

Community service was initially ruled out due to it being said that Murphy was signed off work due to illness.

Magistrates said the offence was too serious for a financial penalty but not serious enough for custody.

But, if Murphy was unable to do community service, magistrates said that the only option would be a short custodial sentence.

When this was put to Murphy he agreed to do community service.