A HUNTINGDON man who over claimed �10,000 of benefits has pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud.

Henri John Ellul, 48, of Thirlmere, had previously denied the charged but on Friday, August 24, at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court he changed his plea.

The court heard that Ellul had made claims to housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and job seekers allowance as a single man who was unemployed and at that time living at Ullswater, Huntingdon.

However, a routine enquiry in December 2010 found that Ellul’s partner, who was in work, had moved in with him. Ellul claimed that his partner had only just moved to his address, but an investigation revealed evidence, including employment records, NHS records, housing records and bank records, all suggesting that his partner had moved in prior to December 2010.

As a result of the evidence it was found that Ellul had been overpaid �10,056.53 in various benefits between December 2009 and December 2010. The court was told that Ellul, who is still unemployed, had made arrangements to repay a significant amount of the money, and would have to pay the rest in full.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 120 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay �400 towards Huntingdonshire District Council’s costs.

INFORMATION: HDC’s fraud hotline can be called, confidentially, on 01480 388188.