A Ramsey man who didn’t tell the authorities he was working as a carpet fitter has been sentenced for benefit fraud.

Paul David Peel, of Bircham Avenue, in Ramsey, claimed a toal of £1,249 in Jobseekers’ Allowance that he wasn’t entitled to.

Peel, aged 50, admitted three counts of making a false representation to obtain a benefit and three of DHSS fraud - failing to inform a change of circumstances.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Peel had been working on an ad hoc basis but failed to tell the department, which had resulted in him being overpaid £1,249.89.

The court heard that Peel had earned £4,000 for the work he did while he was on benefits.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that if the earnings had been taken into account then Peel would likely have been entitled to some benefits anyway due to the low level of his earnings.

Paperwork

Mr Taylor also said that Peel had not been claiming free prescriptions or dental care during the period.

’He accepts he should have declared his earnings,’ Mr Taylor said.

’He has difficulties with paperwork.’

A probation report said that Peel was sporadically employed as a carpet fitter.

He said that he had informed the department on numerous occasions of work he had done but it had then resulted in his benefits being stopped and delayed while they were reassessed.

This was then said to have had a knock on effect of him not being able to pay his rent and other bills.

Mr Taylor said: ’This is a situation where the benefits system isn’t designed for people who dip in and out of work.

’Mr Peel had a lot of outgoings. He was short of money. He earned £4,000.

’He probably would have been entitled to a large portion of that if he had attended to the paperwork.’

Magistrates ordered Peel to do 40 hours of unpaid work and repay the £1,249.89 at a rate of £10 per week.