A man from Tonbridge has been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds that he fraudulently claimed.

Albert Upton, of Oakmead, Tonbridge was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months for committing benefit fraud when he appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 11.

Upton, 39, who pleaded guilty at his hearing on Tuesday, August 12 had failed to notify Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council of a change in circumstances.

The court heard that Mr Upton failed to tell the council that he had changed jobs, which resulted in him being overpaid £7,752.97 in housing benefit and £1,333.88 in council tax benefit.

He will have to repay all the money that he fraudulently claimed as well as £261.50 in prosecution costs.

Cllr Martin Coffin, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s cabinet member for finance, innovation and property, said: “This is the latest in a long list of people attempting to defraud council tax payers of their hard earned money and there really can be no excuse for benefit fraud.

"It must be obvious from recent reports in the press that we are finding more fraudsters all the time, and that our benefit investigation team do indeed follow up every lead to ensure that people who defraud the benefit system are caught and brought to justice.”