A MAN who claimed he was unemployed when he was in fact working claimed more than £6,000 in benefits.

Steven Moody, of Coombe Street, Lyme Regis, failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that he was in employment and continued to claim Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and housing benefits between May 2014 and March 2015.

The 55-year-old appeared before Weymouth Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to four offences.

The court heard that between May and July 2014, Moody failed to notify the DWP that he was working and went on to claim JSA.

In addition he failed to notify West Dorset District Council that he was in employment and went on to claim housing benefits between May 2014 and March 2015.

He also made false statements to the authorities, telling them he was still unemployed.

Moody dishonestly claimed £6,573 in total, the court was told.

Simon Lacey, defending, said: “He was a project manager contracted to do work for the NHS.

“He was on about £100,000 a year.

“When the government changed and Cameron came in he suddenly lost his income, nice house, big mortgage - he struggled to get work.

“He and his wife separated and they lost their house worth about £400,000 in 2012.

In the time it has taken this to come to court he has not claimed anything and doesn’t claim anything now, even though he may be entitled to it, because he is scared to go through the same thing again.”

Mr Lacey added: “He knows he has done wrong and he acknowledges he owes money.”

Probation officer Sarah Townley-Walker, who had prepared a pre-sentence report, told the court Moody “spoke with deep regret” about the offences.

She added: “He feels shame appearing before the court and is aware of the effect it’s had on the public purse.”

Moody said: “I am living hand to mouth at the moment. I deeply miss working. I just need one opportunity and I will be up and running again and I am working very hard to get there.”

Magistrates gave Moody a 12-month community order with a requirement of 200 hours of unpaid work within the community.

He was also ordered to pay £6,573 compensation.