A BENEFIT fraudster from Trowbridge cheated taxpayers out of more than £40,000 after he failed to update social workers on his recovery following an injury at work.

North Wiltshire Magistrates court heard on Thursday how Patrick Kelleher, 47, of West Ashton Road, deliberately withheld information about his condition, earnings and employment to receive £43,773.11 worth of housing benefits, council tax benefits, disability support allowance and employment support allowance between 2012 until 2014.

After his own insurance company began to suspect that Kelleher was recovering from a work-related accident in 2012 that damaged his back and supposedly rendered him unable to work, drive or look after himself, their surveillance was passed onto the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

"I was in hospital for 14 months after my accident," Kelleher told the court. "I pleaded guilty and we are trying to rebuild our lives now and pay it all back. I go to work and I work really hard and I can't work every day but I try to.

"Yes, my situation improved but social services do not help because they say go with the worst-case scenario. I have a three-year-old daughter and I take her to the park and I enjoy life. I sincerely regret that I did not disclose things earlier but life is life."

The court also heard how the DWP has so far received £2,659.54 in compensation from Kelleher, who according to probation officer Sharon McNeill, was deeply remorseful.

Passing sentence, chair of the bench Simon Crichton said: "Mr Kelleher, as you know these offences were committed over a long time but you had the opportunity to change your circumstances every time you received benefits and that makes matters more serious.

"We have taken into account your early guilty plea, the fact you have no previous convictions, that you are clearly remorseful and are already paying the debt back to the DWP and that the claims you made were initially lawful. We have considered a custodial sentence of six months but we are suspending that sentence for two years."

Kelleher was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation ability days, 12 alcohol treatment sessions over a six-month period and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge fee and £85 costs.