A 48-year-old Douglas man has admitted a benefit fraud which resulted in him receiving £4,984 which he was not entitled to.

Brendan Murphy, of Windsor Road, will be sentenced on August 30 after a probation report has been prepared.

He admitted offences of DHSC fraud - failing to inform a change of circumstances, and two counts of making a false representation to obtain a benefit.

Prosecutor Richard Butters told the court how 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 that he had been working for the Isle of Man Steam Packet and had earned more than £16,000 during his employment with them, which had not been declared.

He was spoken to by department officials and told them: ’Obviously I am guilty of everything.’

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

Defence advocate Rebecca Cubbon entered a basis of plea on behalf of Murphy in which he disputed the overpayment he had received, claiming that it was £4,344.85 rather than £4,984.85.

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

Ms Cubbon said that her client had started paying back the money at a rate of £20 per week.

Bail was granted until sentencing with conditions that Murphy reside at his stated address and co-operate with probation services over the preparation of the report.