A BENEFIT cheat has been ordered to pay back more than £2,000 which he claimed fraudulently.

Appearing at Dartford Magistrates' Court, Peter Baber pleaded guilty to three offences of benefit fraud.

The court heard how Baber, aged 55, of Church Road, Hartley, was caught claiming housing benefit for a property he no longer lived at.

He was ordered to pay £111 in prosecution costs and to repay Dartford Council £2,075 in housing benefit overpayments.

Baber continued to claim housing benefit on a rented property in Hook Green Road, Southfleet, even though he had moved out a year earlier.

Councillor Tony Martin, portfolio holder for benefits and revenues, said: "People who commit benefit fraud are cheating Dartford residents out of their hard-earned cash.

"Our fraud investigation team is working hard to hunt down fraudsters and make sure they pay up."

Baber was given an 18-month conditional discharge on May 27.

To report suspected benefit fraud, call the council's confidential 24 hour hotline free on 0800 634 3245 or visit the website dartford.gov.uk