A BENEFIT cheat from Bewsey was found guilty of five offences at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Friday.

David Isherwood, from Holford Avenue, received an 80-hour community punishment and was ordered to pay £470 legal costs within 28 days.

The 42-year-old made three job seekers' claims and two income support claims which earned him an overpayment of £4117.48.

The Department of Work and Pensions said after the case Mr Isherwood told the court that all the money had gone to his girlfriend so he did not consider it to be his.

He had given her the money so she could buy her former home in Fearnhead Lane from her former partner and also set up a floristry business in Orford.

However, the money remained in accounts in Mr Isherwood's name and only he had access to the accounts.

A spokesman for the DWP said: "The Department will always seek full reimbursement of any monies fraudulently obtained. I understand that in this case, Mr Isherwood has already repaid the amount in full."

Roy Paul, the regional counter fraud investigations manager, said: "The public are fed up with benefit thieves stealing money intended for society's most vulnerable.

"There are no excuses for taking money that isn't yours."