A BENEFIT cheat from Urmston was sentenced to a 12-month community order.
 

Eamonn Donnelly, 40, of Moorside Road, pleaded guilty to obtaining benefit to which he was not entitled at Trafford Magistrates’ Court on February 21.


Mr Donnelly failed to report he was working and claimed housing benefit for a property that he was not living at, so was overpaid employment support allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit between December 5 2009 and June 8 2012.


He was overpaid by £8,698.40 in total.


As well as the community order, Mr Donnelly will have to carry out 220 hours of unpaid work and pay £550 towards the prosecution costs.


Trafford Council and the Department for Work and Pensions are also recovering all of the benefits he wrongfully obtained.


Leader elect, Cllr Sean Anstee, said: “The Council is committed to ensuring benefits are only paid to those people entitled to them. It will take all necessary steps to investigate cases where benefit fraud is suspected.”


If you suspect anyone of benefit fraud contact Trafford Council on 0161 912 2852 or via Freephone number 0800 328 6340.