A BENEFIT cheat who falsely claimed money from the council and pensions department has been fined.

Gary Cassell, aged 49, of Elmsett Close, admitted three charges of failing to declare a change in circumstances when he appeared at Runcorn Magistrates' Court last Monday.

Cassell was found to be claming job seekers allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit totalling £2,275.78 between March and June 2006, even though he had found work.

He was fined £300 as well as £85 costs and ordered to repay the benefit he had fraudulently claimed.

People in Warrington can give information about alleged fraudsters free, and in confidence, on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.