Benefit cheat must pay back over £7,000

A Rochdale man who pleaded guilty to benefit fraud must now pay back the £7,223 he cheated out of the system.

Arshad Mahmood, aged 36, of Primrose Street, was also given an 18 month conditional discharge and told to pay £150 in costs at the hearing at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates Court on 24 September 2012.

The case was brought by the council's Legal and Democratic Services team after benefit fraud investigators found that Mr Mahmood had failed to inform the council of a significant change in his circumstances between 19/01/2009 and 06/09/2010.

Mr Mahmood continued to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit during this period after his family moved out of their home.

The resulting overpayment of benefit was £7,223 which Mr Mahmood will have to repay in full.