A BENEFIT cheat has been fined for failing to declare several bank accounts.
Colin Anderson, of Bonney Way, Swanley, pleaded guilty to two charges of making false statements regarding capital holdings when he appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on February 27.
Anderson, aged 56, did not declare the bank accounts and received housing and council tax benefit which he was not entitled to.
He was caught by Sevenoaks District Council's fraud and control team and fined £2,000 - the largest fine for a benefit fraud case brought to light by the council.
Anderson was also ordered to pay costs of £274.
He has already paid back £5,355 of housing benefit to the council and is repaying £1,646 of council tax benefit in instalments.
Council cabinet member for finance Councillor Brian Ramsay said: "This fine reflects just how serious a crime benefit fraud is, and proves we and the courts are getting tough with benefit fraudsters."
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