A benefits cheat who fiddled more than £30,000 from the state and Tamworth Borough Council has escaped a jail sentence.
David Clark claimed a whole range of hand-outs, including severe disability living allowance whilst working as a loader for a logistics firm, Stafford Crown Court heard.
Mr Neil Chawla, prosecuting, said Clark was also paid income support, Council Tax and Housing Benefit on the basis he was unable to work due to his health.
"His duties required a physical and mental condition very far different from that he declared," said Mr Chawla.
The total amount of money he received that he was not entitled to was £32,102.
Clark, aged 54, formerly of Quince, Tamworth, admitted four charges of benefit fraud committed between July 2004 and October 2007.
Now living in Skegness, Lincolnshire, he was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
Mr Chawla said Clark began claiming income support in 1998 and then severe disability allowance in 1999.
The claims were originally genuine but he failed to notify the Department of Works and Pensions of his change of circumstances.
Mr Desmond Rosario, defending, said Clark had been left immobilised as a result of a stroke and other conditions.
His wife then became very ill and they claimed jointly.
Clark had a share in an £80,000 bungalow in Skegness and had a desire and an ability to repay the money.
"One of the reasons he went back to work was that he wanted the company," Mr Rosario added.
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