A THIRD person has been successfully prosecuted as part of a benefit clampdown by a local authority.

Earlier this year, Chester-le-Street District Council launched a campaign to tackle fraudulent claims and, last week, prosecuted its third case when a resident was sentenced at Durham Magistrates' Court to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £150 costs.

The three cases are the first prosecutions by the authority, but officials promised there would be more to follow.

The council's revenues and benefits manager, Jayne Henderson, said: "Our third prosecution this year 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 section 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.

"We will continue to use the law fairly but firmly against anyone who is trying to cheat the system.

"We are working closely with the Department of Works and Pensions and we are becoming more successful in detecting frauds, and the courts are backing up our efforts."