A HOUSEHOLDER who deliberately inflated an insurance claim after a burglary has escaped a custodial sentence.

Frank Doody had £800 of debts when he put his home, in Woodlands Rise, Westlands, Droitwich, up for sale.

While living at another address, the house was raided. Doody, aged 37, put in a claim for losses of more than £8,000 to General Accident.

The sum had been boosted by a bogus claim for £3,370, Worcester Crown Court heard on Friday.

Police investigating the break-in found the defendant's carpets stashed in the loft of a neighbour's house, said prosecutor Glyn Samuel.

The insurance firm refused to pay up.

Doody then confessed that some of the goods listed as stolen were in fact still in his possession. He pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain property by deception.

Judge Michael Mott told him he had shot himself in the foot.

The two-year-old case had been delayed by the burglary inquiry.

The court heard Doody was a good worker who was "doing his best" to better himself.

He was sentenced to 12 months' probation and ordered to carry out 80 hours of community work.

Doody, of Lakes Road, Wirley Birch, Birmingham, reported to the insurance company that people had been seen moving around in his home on September 26, 1999 and that the windows were open, said Mr Samuel.

Everything of value was stolen, including kitchen units and electrical goods.

A number of people were questioned over the burglary but were not prosecuted.

Mr Samuel said: "He took advantage of someone breaking in to try to alleviate his debts."

Doody had previous convictions for arson, burglary, theft and criminal damage.

Andrea Orchard, defending, said he had carried out an unsophisticated scam after a genuine burglary.

He and his partner, a mum-of-three, had lived in the Droitwich house for a number of years and he wanted to restore his old lifestyle by getting out of debt.

She said Doody told police: "It's been a nightmare. I made a terrible mistake and wasn't thinking straight."