A STRETFORD man who had more than £60,000 savings has been sentenced for falsely claiming benefits.

Kemal Arifsalih, 48, of Derbyshire Crescent, declared he had no capital, savings or investments in the UK or abroad when he submitted an application to Trafford Council for benefits.

However, he failed to declare that he had more than £60,000 savings in a building society account which was in his son’s name.

This resulted in an overpayment of housing and council tax benefits between June 2006 and October 2011, totalling more than £25,500.

He was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on July 3 and was handed a 12-month community order requiring him to undertake 120 hours unpaid work.

Trafford Council is also recovering all the falsely claimed money.

Executive councillor for finance, Cllr Patrick Myers, said: “We are determined to recover all money falsely claimed and we urge our communities to be on the lookout for those making fraudulent claims from the public purse.”

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