MORRELL Andrews from Purton has been sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 200 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to fraud.

Andrews, 63 of Dogridge, will also have to pay a victim surcharge of £60 and £100 costs after appearing at Swindon Magistrates Court on Monday.

He was overpaid £4,394.92 housing benefit and £1,199 council tax benefit between May 2, 2011 and January 20, 2013 after he had given false information on forms and supporting documentation relating to his self-employed earnings when making a claim for help with his rent and council tax.

He now has a criminal record and as well as serving his sentence and paying back the penalties imposed by the court, he will also have to pay Wiltshire Council his outstanding debt of £5,593.92 which could have been spent on essential public services.