A COUNCIL says it will continue to crack down on benefit cheats.

The warning from Chester-le-Street District Council follows its latest prosecution, with a man sentenced at Durham Magistrates' Court to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs after fraudulently claiming £537 in council tax benefit.

Jayne Henderson, revenues and benefits manager at the council, said: "The most recent prosecution should act as a warning to others who think they can defraud the local community of resources that are meant for those with a genuine need.

"The benefits team at the council is committed to paying housing and council tax benefit to genuine claimants, ensuring they receive the full amount of benefit they are entitled to.

"The council will not tolerate benefit fraud, and is currently investigating other cases, which it believes will lead to successful prosecutions in the near future."

People who suspect anyone of committing benefit fraud can contact the council's benefit fraud investigators on freephone 0800-0321663.