A 22-year-old Douglas man has been sentenced to 80 hours community service after admitting benefit fraud totalling £2,438.

Leo Shane Jordan Ken Milligan, of Clarence Terrace, has 12 months to complete the community service.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, in January 2016, Milligan was claiming job seekers’ allowance.

He closed that claim on August 10, 2016 but a witness reported seeing him driving a Home Run pizza delivery van on July 29, 2016.

Investigations revealed that Milligan had been working while claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

Records from Home Run showed that Milligan had worked between March 16, 2016, and October 4, 2016, and had received total pay of £4,209, net of tax and National Insurance.

He interviewed in December 2106 and confirmed that he knew he had to declare when he was working.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough handed in references on behalf of her client and told the court that he had had no convictions for seven years.

She asked the magistrates if they were minded to follow the recommendation of the probation report which suggested community service and they agreed that they would.

The advocate said: ’I won’t report any matters in the probation report which are of a personal nature. He will be getting assistance with paperwork going forward.’

The court heard that Milligan had repaid £90 so far and a compensation order was made for the remaining amount of £2,348.

He will make payments at a rate of £10 per week and must also pay prosecution costs of £50.