A STRETFORD benefit cheat has been convicted on falsely claiming more than £30,000 over a six year period.

55 year-old Lloyd Deer of Chester Road appeared at Trafford Magistrates Court on Friday, August 21.

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining housing benefit, council tax benefit, council tax support, and job seekers allowance totalling £30,417.

Deer received the benefits on the basis that he was unemployed but had failed to notify either Trafford Council or the Department for Work and Pensions that he had capital in excess of the £16,000 limit for claiming the money.

It resulted in an overpayment between September 2008 and October 2014.

Deer was sentenced to undertake 60 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £449 towards the cost of the prosecution and pay a victim surcharge of £60.

Trafford Council and the Department for Work and Pensions have recovered all of the monies that were obtained as a result of these offences from Mr Deer.

Council counter fraud officers were alerted to this matter as a result as a result of information from the Department for Work and Pensions, which identified Mr Deer’s capital.

Executive councillor for finance, councillor, Patrick Myers, said: “Since April this year, the council has recovered more than £650,000 of housing benefit that had been incorrectly awarded.

“This is public money, which must go to those people who are eligible to claim it. This latest conviction again reinforces the Council's commitment to clamping down on this type of fraud. We will not hesitate to use the courts to make sure dishonest claimants are brought to justice.”

If you suspect anyone of benefit fraud contact Trafford Council on 0161 9122852 or via Freefone 0800 3286340.