A KIDDERMINSTER man who falsely claimed £1,244 in benefits has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.

Paul Evans, 27, of Hurcott Road, was brought before Kidderminster magistrates after falsely claiming housing and council tax benefit for nearly a year.

Evans failed to notify Wyre Forest District Council's benefits department that he had returned to work and had stopped receiving Jobseekers Allowance.

Instead, he continued to claim £972 in housing benefit and £272 in council tax benefit between October, 2003 and September the following year.

He has since been ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay £490 in costs. He must also repay the council the money to which he was not entitled.

Councillor John Campion, responsible for finance and corporate affairs, said: "The council needs to know when claimants' situations change so it can adjust their benefits accordingly.

"If it is not done, as in this case, and they continue to claim benefits, they may find themselves in court. Benefit fraud has a large effect on society as a whole and we are committed to cracking down on it."

To report suspected false claims, call the confidential hotline on 01562 732658. To speak to someone in person, call 01562 732638.