A Newlyn man who committed housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud totalling £2,863.11 has received a 12-month community order of 80 hours.

Michael Whitehouse, 33, of Boase Street, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 13, to three counts of failing to promptly report to Cornwall Council that he was in paid employment and guilty to one count of knowingly making a false statement to the council for the purpose of obtaining benefit, by failing to report the correct date he had begun paid employment.

Whitehouse was also ordered to pay £500 costs to Cornwall Council.

The overpaid benefits are being recovered from him by the council separately from the court action.