A Penryn man has been sent to jail for three years after he admitted five offences of fraud which included over claiming more than £51,000 in combined benefits over four years.

Truro Crown Court heard that Craig Miles, of Higher Market Street, had been in receipt of carers’ allowance to enable him to look after his wife, Tanya, while they lived together in Camelford.

She received income support and housing and council tax benefit as the family had no declared income. Acting on information received from the police, Cornwall Council and the Department for Work and Pensions discovered that Mr Miles had been receiving an income from his work as a builder and maintenance man under the name Gardens and Gates.

Based on this investigation it was established that the couple had been overpaid £51,343.79 in combined benefits over a four year period. Mr Miles was sentenced to six years, three to be served in custody and three years on licence. This included two years for the benefit fraud offences to be served consecutively.

A spokesman for the council said: “Cornwall Council is satisfied by the outcome and the Judge’s sentencing in the case. It demonstrates that by working closely with other organisations such as the police and the Department for Work and Pensions we are able to maximise investigations and discover the full extent of the crime perpetrated by the fraudsters. The council is dedicated in protecting the public purse and takes a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to fraud.”

Anyone suspecting that benefit fraud is being committed can call the confidential fraud hotline on 0800 7316125.