A YORK man who falsely claimed thousands of pounds in benefits has been punished following a council investigation.

Wayne Ellis, of Ings Court, Esk Drive, appeared before York Magistrates Court for working full-time while claiming benefits.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to notify either City of York Council or the Department for Work and Pensions of the changes to his circumstances.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order with supervision and a four-month curfew requirement, which requires him to remain in his property between the hours of 9.30pm to 6am.

He must also wear an electronic tag for four months and was ordered to pay court costs of £75.

Ellis was charged after claiming thousands of pounds of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Income Support he was not entitled to, including £2,667.51 in Job Seekers Allowance, £3,211.93 in Housing Benefits and £796.15 in Council Tax Benefit. A spokesperson for Veritau, which investigates fraud on behalf of City of York Council, said: “This case sends out a very clear message to anyone thinking that they can get away with taking more than their share from the public purse.”