AN ARTHRITIS sufferer who claimed almost £4,000 in benefits while he was in paid employment has been given a tagged curfew by the court.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (November 1) that 54-year-old Arthur Bott of The Grove, West Cornforth, continued to claim housing and council tax benefit along with income support even though he was in paid employment between September 2009 and October 2011.

Bott, who sufferers severe arthritis and recently had a hip replacement, failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) when he started working for a company in Shildon.

In court he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to declare changes in circumstance which would have affected his benefit entitlement.

Mitigating, Graham Hunsley said it was in Bott’s character to work, despite his health problems, but that he “should have thought a bit more” about what he needed to declare to the DWP.

The court heard that Bott received a total benefits overpayment of £3,753 and that arrangements were being made to recover the money.

Magistrates imposed a three month curfew order meaning that Bott must stay in his house between 9pm and 7am and wear an electronic tag for the duration of the order.