Community service for benefit assets fraud

A benefit cheat who lied about having £40,000 in savings to falsely claim more than £6,000 has avoided prison.

Martin Ware-Lane, from Gravesend, was sentenced to 250 hours community service after admitting three counts of benefit fraud.

The court heard the 54-year-old failed to tell the authorities he had the money saved and claimed £4,506 in housing benefit, £1,129 in council tax benefit and £731 in job seekers allowance.

Ware-Lane has already paid back the falsely claimed housing benefit and will re-pay the council tax benefit and job seekers allowance in monthly installments.