A WORCESTER man has been ordered to do 200 hours community service for falsely claiming more than £8,000 Housing and Council Tax benefit.

Worcester magistrates heard yesterday how Peter Thisleton-Dyer, of Corruna Close, Brockhill Village, Norton, failed to declare his and his partner's earnings for the 12 months up to December 2001.

He admitted all eight charges and asked for 44 additional offences to be taken into consideration.

The court heard the claims started off legitimately but then became illegal when he became employed and did not announce the income. As a result, he was overpaid £7,462.24 Housing Benefit and £1,213.91 Council Tax Benefit.

As well as the community service, Mr Thisleton-Dyer, 48, was also ordered to pay court costs of £572.46

Prosecuting for Worcester City Council, Wendy Rushton said the sentence should serve as a warning to other fraudsters.

"Those intending to defraud the council should take note that we shall continue to bring action whenever we suspect benefits claims are not all they should be," she said.

"The warnings on the claim forms are quite clear that it is an offence to give false information and doing so could lead to prosecution - and that is the action the City Council took, in line with its clear duty to protect the funds we administer."

Action was taken after a computer search highlighted discrepancies in Mr Thisleton-Dyer's circumstances and his situation as stated on the benefit forms.

"It was the defendant's responsibility to inform the council of the changes in his situation, at once and in writing," added Mrs Rushton in court.

"If they wish to pursue their claim, they are provided with a further application form and will have to provide details of their income."

Defence solicitor Dale Sheehan asked for his client's guilty plea to be taken into consideration when sentencing. This, according to magistrates, was the only reason he escaped a prison sentence.