A BENEFIT cheat who defrauded Warrington Borough Council of more than £26,000 is now behind bars.
Terry McDonagh, 36, of Watkin Street, Warrington, was jailed for nine months at Warrington Crown Court after pleading guilty to three charges of benefit fraud.
He was also ordered to repay the money.
The court was told that between June 2009 and September 2013, McDonagh was claiming benefits as a single person but failed to declare that his partner lived with him.
As a result, he was overpaid £9,793 housing benefit, £3,000.79 council tax benefit/support and £13,970 job seekers allowance – a total of £26,763.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits and exchequer services manager, said: “Every day in the UK over 200 benefit thieves are caught – the clear message is – if you commit benefit fraud you will be caught.”
Man jailed for defrauding council of £26,000
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