A TENANT falsified his rent papers to claim benefit he was not entitled to, York magistrates heard.
Richard Hutchinson, 46, of Front Street, Acomb, York, altered details on his tenancy agreement, increasing the rent to gain extra housing benefit.
Caroline Aaron, defending, said: "Mr Hutchinson admitted he changed the details. He said he did this because he knew his housing benefits would not cover his rent, so he adjusted the details himself."
Mr Hutchinson admitted falsifying details for his former home in 6 Barrett Avenue on September 26, last year.
The court heard that he scanned his tenancy agreement into his computer, then changed the amount of rent due, and the landlord's address.
Mr Hutchinson altered the rent from £325 a calendar month to £370.
The fraud was only discovered when the council tried to contact the landlord, but had mail returned as "no known address".
Mr Hutchinson pleaded guilty, and was given a conditional discharge.
He was ordered to pay costs of £236.69, to be deducted from his benefits.
Updated: 11:13 Friday, April 11, 2003
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