A PENSIONER has pleaded guilty to illegally claiming nearly £11,000 in benefits.
William Barrell admitted eight charges of submitting false documents to claim £8,270 in housing benefit and £2,549 in council tax benefit.
Maidstone Crown Court heard how Barrell submitted a series of benefit claims to Sevenoaks District Council between January 1997 and September 2002.
But he did not declare already having received industrial injuries benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions.
The fraud came to light in June last year after routine crosschecks of council data.
The 66-year-old, of Shurlock Avenue, Swanley, was told to pay back the money and given a two-year conditional discharge.
Sevenoaks Council's cabinet member responsible for benefit payments Councillor Peter Coates said: "We will pursue those who commit benefit fraud and will take action to recover money claimed illegally."
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