Benefit cheat Dennis Jasper, who took eight months to tell the council he had a job, has been ordered to pay back nearly £1,000 of housing aid.

Jasper of The Ivies, Manningford Bruce, near Pewsey, appeared at Devizes Magistrates’ Court on Monday, and pleaded guilty to two offences of falsely claiming housing benefit.

He had failed to meet officers at his home as required and did not declare he had started work. Magistrates heard, however, that he did inform the council he had started full time work.

But he failed to provide the wage slips to support his circumstances.

A check with his employers revealed that he had started the job eight months earlier than stated.

Jasper was given a two-year conditional discharge. He will also have to repay benefit of £991.59.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council, which brought the prosecution, said: “If a member of the public suspects benefit fraud is being committed, they can call Wiltshire Council’s confidential hotline (01380) 734729 or the National Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.”

Benefit fraud can also be reported on the council’s website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefitfraud.