Benefit cheat Anthony Falconer has been ordered to repay over £12,000 because he failed to inform authorities he had started work.

Falconer, 48, of Chestnut Mews, Melksham appeared before magistrates in Swindon on April 14, where he pleaded guilty to charges under the Social Security Administration Act.

The court heard how he had received housing benefit for almost two years while he was working. He was given a 100-hour community sentence, and ordered to pay £50 in costs on top of the overpaid benefits.

Anyone with information which could help catch a benefit cheat can call Wiltshire Council’s confidential hotline on 01249 706256 or the National Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440. Benefit fraud can also be reported at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefitfraud