A Falmouth man who claimed nearly £3,000 in pension credits over a period when he was earning three different salaries has been fined £130 at Truro Magistrates’ Court.

Malcolm John Rowe, aged 53, of Pengelly Place, Falmouth, pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of his change of circumstances between September 14, 2012 and June 13, 2013.

Alison May, for the CPS, said he was overpaid £2,938 on the grounds that he was not working and had no other income.

An investigation showed he had been employed by three different firms during the relevant period, earning between £370 and £495 a week, which he had not declared.

When interviewed, Rowe said he knew he should not have been claiming pension credits and should have reported that he was working. He had forgotten to do so, and accepted he had been dishonest.

Rowe told the magistrates it had been stupidity on his part and should not have happened. “It was my fault completely,” he said, and added that he had been paying back the overpayments at £50 a month.

A man with no previous convictions, in addition to the fine he had to pay £105 costs and surcharge.