Benefit cheat spared jail

A Rochdale man has been spared prison despite admitting to being a benefit cheat.

Michael Neylon, 66, of Hawley Green, pleaded guilty to four charges of dishonestly failing to notify Rochdale Borough Council and the Department of Work and Pensions that he was working whilst claiming benefits at Bolton Crown Court on Friday (3 September 2010).

Mr Neylon claimed housing and council tax benefits, income support and pension credit totalling £41,700.

Pleading guilty to all four offences, the defendant admitted he had no defence as he had knowledge of the benefit system and how it worked.

Mr Neylon was given a 50 weeks suspended sentence and 100 hours unpaid work.

The judge warned the defendant that it was only his health and early guilty plea that stopped him being imprisoned.

Councillor Greg Couzens, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Management said: “Mr Neylon has been dealt with by the court, and narrowly escaped prison. He was earning a good wage whilst claiming to be unemployed and stealing from the public purse.”