MAGISTRATES yesterday found a pensioner guilty of fraudulently claiming more than £4,000 in benefits.
Owen McManus, of Orchard Grove, Brompton, near Northallerton, did not turn up for the hearing at Northallerton Magistrates' Court. The case was proved in his absence.
Gary Nelson, prosecuting for Hambleton District Council, told the court McManus had declared his only income was the state pension, when he was still working and had been receiving an occupational pension since 1996.
This led to the 74-year-old being overpaid council tax and housing benefit by £4,362.
Magistrates issued a warrant with bail and the case was adjourned to August 26.
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