A BENEFIT cheat has admitted claiming £8,000 in sickness benefit while working as a builder.

Walter Porter, 60, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to declare a change in curcumstances between August 2003 and February 2006.

Newcastle Crown Court heard today how during that time he took on jobs as a builder.

His barrister Tony Hawks told the court: "The figure that is accepted the defendant has dishonestly obtained is approximately £8,000.

"This was intermitent dishonesty, it's not a case of continuous fraud over the period of time because the defendant, who was in legitimate receipt of incapacity benefit through having spondylosis in the back, has worked from time to time as a builder.

"The prosecution accept there would be times when he was not in work and would be entitled to claim incapacity benefit."

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Porter, of Glasgow Road, Jarrow, South Tyneside, will be back before the court in three weeks and was granted bail in the meantime.