Just be a good boyo, don't do it again, see?

Nyron Davies, from Aberavon, pleaded guilty to failing to notify the council's housing benefit section that he was no longer receiving income support.

Neath magistrates heard that the offence took place between April 22 and September 15 last year.

The overpayment was originally £1,536 but had been brought down to £1,155 by Davies making repayments. For the offence magistrates gave Davies an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered he pay costs of £160.

• If the databases had communicated, Mr Davies would not have had that temptation open to him. But he was tested, and he succumbed.
  
  People convicted of benefit fraud who don't receive a custodial sentence should have to do unpaid work.
  
  Benefit thieves should also have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have.
  
  But that fact remains that the government is effectively placing temptation in poor people's way.
  
  This is morally wrong.