A FRAUDSTER who falsely claimed £11,000 in housing benefit has avoided jail.

Mark Stimpson, of Stubble Close, Botley, was given a six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work, at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The 38-year-old, who admitted two charges of benefit fraud in relation to his claim for housing benefit, was also told to pay back what he owed as well as £100 in prosecution costs.

Stimpson failed to inform the Vale of White Horse District Council that he had worked at two different pubs between March 2009 and May 2012, and received housing benefit he was not entitled to as a result.

He received an extra £8,556.02 between March 16, 2009, and July 4, 2011, and £2,663.54 between January 21, 2012, and May 21, 2012.

His overpayments were stopped in May 2012 after data matching services, which compare details such as bank accounts, National Insurance and tax payments, picked up irregularities in his claim.

Investigation officers then requested that he attend an interview under caution.

Vale council leader Matthew Barber said: “This was a very clear case of someone deliberately not informing us about a change in their circumstance, so that they claim more money from the public purse than they were entitled to.

“This is simply not acceptable.

“We will come down hard on anyone who thinks they can play the system in this way.”