Fraudster carried on claiming benefits

Henry Leonard had five previous offences of benefit fraud under his belt when he illegally obtained thousands in Disability Living Allowance.

Leonard, 51, of Queen Victoria Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to making a false statement by failing to reveal there had been an improvement in his mobility restrictions and a reduction in his care needs.

Vincent Yip, prosecuting, said Leonard’s claim in 2011 started out as genuine, but in June 2013 he lied about his condition.

Leonard had illegally claimed £3,534 in DLA which he was paying back.

Leonard was sentenced to an eight-week tagged curfew from 9pm to 5am and ordered to pay £100 costs with £60 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.