A REDDITCH man who dishonestly claimed more than £4,000 in benefits has been fined by magistrates.

Dale Chapman, aged 40, of Hoveton Close, Greenlands, was sentenced by Redditch Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 24.

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly claiming housing benefit amounting to £4,345.28 for three separate periods between October 2013 and November 2014 by failing to declare that he was working as a service engineer.

The court heard that the offences are serious and that the overpaid benefit is being recovered by the council through their own methods.

Mr Chapman was given a fine of £55 which the magistrates said would have been greater had he not entered an early guilty plea.

He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £100 court costs.

The investigation began as a result of a data match that matches electronic data within local authorities and HMRC to prevent and detect fraud.

A Redditch Borough Council spokesman said: “This case again demonstrates the importance of declaring true circumstances when claiming benefit and reporting any changes as they take place.

“Failure to do so may lead to a criminal record and could have an impact on future claims.”

To report benefit fraud call the investigation team on 01527 534011 or visit redditchbc.gov.uk/fraud.