A HAROLD HILL man falsely claimed over �14,000 in benefits while working as a carpet fitter, magistrates heard on Friday (February 25).

David Parlour, of Leamington Road, received a total of �14,482.71 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support between July 2008 and May 2010.

He had initially been unable to work as he was suffering from depression, and the court heard he couldn’t get out of bed in the morning after two bereavements and the break-up of a relationship.

A probation service officer told Havering magistrates court that: “He realises he shouldn’t have done this. He said he was always worried about it but the fact that he has been caught was something of a relief for him.”

His defence lawyer said that he was offered a job but it didn’t offer him a regular salary and so he didn’t get round to informing the authorities of the change in his circumstances.

The 42-year-old had already enetered into a voluntary arrangement to pay back the money at the rate of �150 a month.

Parlour admitted two counts of failing to notify a change in circumstance regarding his benefit.

He was sentenced to 160 hours of unpaid work with �200 costs. He was sentenced to 160 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay �200 costs in addition to the money he is already paying back.