A FRAUDSTER who claimed over �2,700 of false benefits has been fined. Daniel Wakeman, 48, failed to tell South Cambridgeshire District Council about a change in circumstances. He claimed housing and council tax benefits during a period of unemployment,

A FRAUDSTER who claimed over �2,700 of false benefits has been fined.

Daniel Wakeman, 48, failed to tell South Cambridgeshire District Council about a change in circumstances.

He claimed housing and council tax benefits during a period of unemployment, and did not inform the council when he returned to work. As a result, he was overpaid �2,700.

Mr Wakeman, who was a resident of Orwell at the time but now lives in Hall Close, Bourn, initially pleaded not guilty and the case was prepared for trial. However, he changed his plea at a later stage, and was fined �200 and ordered to pay �100 towards the district council's costs, together with a victim surcharge of �15.

The district council has now recovered the overpaid benefits.

Chris Freeman, the district council's fraud manager, said: "This latest case just goes to show that benefit fraud is not tolerated in South Cambridgeshire. Our officers work diligently to ensure only genuine claimants receive taxpayers' money.

"Those that commit benefit fraud will be caught. They face the prospect of being named and shamed in the press, risk having a criminal record and even a prison sentence," he added.