A CLUB cleaner was overpaid more than £2,700 in benefits after failing to declare he and his wife had part-time jobs, a court has heard.

Leslie Haigh admitted two charges of making false statements to gain Employment Support Allowance when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Vicky Wilson said Haigh, 52, of Heath Road in Spennymoor, County Durham, went on to the benefit after being declared unfit to work.

But while claiming it for two years he was working part-time as a cleaner at Middlestone Moor Working Men’s Club while his wife worked as a school escort for a coach company, the court heard.

Ms Wilson said he was overpaid £2,717 between 2011 and 2013.

Mike Clark representing Haigh, who was of previous good character, said his client is repaying the overpayment at a rate of £10.55 a week.

Mr Clark said Haigh had mistakenly believed that he did not need to declare employment if he was working less than 16 hours a week.

The court heard that Haigh had to leave full time work after suffering two heart attacks and undergoing a triple heart bypass on 2011.

Mr Clark said it was highly unlikely Haigh would appear at court in the future.

Magistrates gave Haigh a 24 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 costs.