A 22-year-old Douglas man has been put on probation for 18 months for a £3,263 benefit fraud.

Jake James Bostock admitted not declaring that his partner was working and that they had moved house.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false representation to obtain a benefit and one of Department of Health and Social Care fraud, while three other charges, of making a false representation to obtain a benefit, were dismissed.

claiming

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that Bostock, who lives at Clarence Terrace, started claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance in September 2020.

He was receiving the benefit between that date and March 2021.

On April 28 information was received that Bostock and his partner had moved house but had not informed the department as they were required to do so.

Bostock’s partner was also said to have been working at e-gaming company Celton Manx as a gaming presenter.

She was said to be working 40 hours a week and wage slips were obtained between January and April.

When interviewed at the DHSC Bostock admitted he knew should have declared the work.

The court heard how police also executed a search warrant at Bostock’s home on December 21 and found ketamine valued at between £72 and cannabis said to be worth £27.

He pleaded guilty to possession of both drugs.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said that his client was already paying back the overpaid benefit via a deduction from his benefits.

Mr Wood said that Bostock had separated from his partner and his life may have become ’a little chaotic’.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks sentenced Bostock to 18 months probation, to run concurrently on all offences.