Mid Wales benefits cheat took £17,000 in payments
A man falsely claimed more than £17,000 in benefits over a number of years by claiming his wife was out of work when in fact she was employed.
Pensioner Peter Raymond Allen fraudulently filled in claims for housing and council tax benefit and pension credit by saying his wife was not working.
He admitted two charges of fraud during an appearance at Welshpool Magistrates Court.
Allen, of Nant Rhyd-hir, Rhayader, was jailed for 17 weeks on each charge to run concurrently.
But he was able to walk from the court as the sentence was suspended for two years.
The court heard the fraud had dated back more than seven years and the lie continued as the benefits wrongly paid mounted up to more than £17,000.
Mr Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court Allen had filled in a claim for housing and council tax benefit on September 14, 2007 and for pension benefit on July 7, 2008.
She said: "On both occasions he claimed his wife Mary Allen was out of work, which was not the case as she was in employment.
"The total falsely claimed was £17,301.28."
Mr Paul Inns, for Allen, said his client admitted his guilt and that he did not have a "lot to dispute". He said he has started repaying the money.
He added: "The only thing I would say is that is started off as foolishness rather than dishonesty, but soon changed to that.
"He has started paying the money back."
Allen was also ordered to pay £85 costs at Tuesday's hearing.
