A PRIVATE landlord received housing benefit for a tenant even though the man had moved out, a court was told.

North Durham magistrates heard Derwentside District Council paid £550 directly to landlord Raymond Ives although the tenant had left the house, in Thomas Street, Craghead.

When the discrepancy was discovered three months later, Ives said he had not known the tenant was leaving.

Ives, 76, of Carmel Road, Stanley, admitted to not informing the council promptly of the change.

He told the court the tenant did not tell him he was going and he only learned of it later from a neighbour.

He said the tenant told him he had informed the council.

Ives told the court the cheque from the council was a bulk one, covering ten other tenants and that he had health worries at the time.

"The only thing I did wrong was fail to notify the council but neither did the tenant, nor the Department of Work and Pensions."

Ives, who has no previous convictions, was fined £150 and ordered to pay £276 costs. He has repaid the over payment.