A MAN was caught claiming housing benefit on his old address after secretly moving to a new home.

Martin Kray, 50, formerly of Rayleigh Road, Leigh, admitted dishonestly failing to tell Southend Council that his circumstances had changed.

He was given an eight month suspended prison sentence, was ordered to complete 150 hours community service and to pay £1,000 costs at Basildon Crown Court.

Kray must also pay back the £6,015.61 Housing Benefit he falsely obtained.

He received Housing Benefit of £500 per month from the council after saying he needed help to pay his rent because he was unemployed and claiming Jobseekers Allowance.

When Kray moved to Basildon in June 2011 he kept on pocketing the Housing Benefit payments for his Southend address.

An investigation was launched after Council Tax staff became aware that Mr Kray was no longer living in Southend.

Southend Council’s executive councillor for corporate support services, Andrew Moring, said: “We are fully committed to paying benefits to those who have legitimate claims and genuine needs, but we must also protect public finances.

“Remember, benefit fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects all Council Tax payers and those in receipt of council services.

“If money is effectively stolen from us, we have less with which to provide services, or Council Tax will have rise to replace it.”

He added: “We take very seriously any attempt to abuse the benefits system.

“People who do so will be punished and penalties can be much more than simply the repayment of illegally-obtained benefits - as this case demonstrates.”

Anyone with suspicions over a person’s entitlement to benefits is asked to call the council’s Counter Fraud Team, in confidence, on 01702 215254 or e-mail counterfraud@southend.gov.uk.