A CHURCH Hill man was fined £200 by Redditch Magistrates for benefit fraud.

Colin Badger, of Northleach Close, pleaded guilty to failing to declare he had worked on a self-employed basis within the construction industry for four weeks in 2004.

The case, brought jointly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Redditch Council, was heard at Redditch Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court was told Badger, 33, attended an interview under caution to discuss the offences in April 2005 but denied the work and the interview was suspended in order for further evidence to be gathered.

He failed to respond to requests to allow investigators access to the correct account so copies of his statements were obtained from his bank using powers under the Social Security Fraud Act.

These proved he had been paid via a bank account he had not previously declared. Badger then failed to attend a further interview, despite being given several opportunities.

In sentencing, magistrates advised the defendant his dishonesty had left the authorities with no alternative but to take the matter through the courts.

If he had admitted the offences during the first interview, the matter could have been dealt with internally and would not have been before them.

The court heard Badger was sorry and ashamed of the offences he had committed after six months off work due to an industrial accident.

He was ordered to pay £150 towards prosecution costs and compensation for the balance of the overpayments owed to the council.