A HOMELESS man was so desperate for extra cash he pretended his giro had been lost in the post - then ordered another one.

But Ian Burrows was found out when the DSS realised he had cashed the first cheque at the post office in Foregate Street, Worcester.

Burrows, whose address was given as the Maggs Day Centre in Deansway, collects £47 a week in sickness benefit.

But buying food and fuel for his fire often left him strapped for cash, Droitwich magistrates heard.

"He's a single man who was claiming Job Seekers' Allowance at the time," said Sukhjinder Sahota, prosecuting.

"On Friday, October 20, last year, he told the DSS that he had not received his giro for £89.50.

"On a Missing Giro Report Form he applied for a replacement and signed that the information was true.

"It wasn't. He'd cashed his giro at Worcester Post Office."

Three days later, Burrows was quizzed by a Benefits Agency officer.

"He admitted the declaration on the form wasn't true," Miss Sahota added.

"But he said he needed the money."

The 29-year-old admitted making false representation to the DSS.

Magistrates were told he had been convicted of similar offences twice in 1998.

"I would hope that you would take the view that, by its very nature, this did take some planning," said Brian O'Connell, defending. "But it was incompetent planning.

"He's not in the best of circumstances at present. It's pretty obvious he hasn't got a permanent address.

"His money goes on food and fuel. There's a small fire where he lives that he's able to light."

Burrows was given a 12-month conditional discharge but ordered to pay £100 costs.