A man has been jailed after carrying out a benefits fiddle worth nearly £50,000 over more than a decade.

John Nichol, 52, initially told officials he was living with his partner in Whitehaven, a court heard.

But when an application for housing benefit was turned down he re-applied, claiming the couple were merely friends and joint tenants, securing himself the extra cash.

Nichol, of Fell View, Moresby, denied any deception when quizzed years later but afterwards cracked and accepted his crimes. He was jailed for a year at Carlisle Crown Court.

Kim Whittlestone, prosecuting, told the court the initial claim was made in 2003, after Nichol has lost his job because of a back injury.

“He indicated on the benefit form that he was living with his partner,” she said.

“That initial application was true. Council tax benefit was awarded but housing benefit was not.

“Then he reclaimed for housing benefit. He now said he was a single person and he had made an error on his initial housing form. She was not his partner but merely a friend and joint tenant.”

Housing benefit was then paid, the court heard.

Other applications for separate benefits were made at later dates and a similar declaration was made each time. Miss Whittlestone said: “Evidence came to light, the prosecution say, that showed they were more than joint tenants.”

The total overpayment reached £49,672, the court was told. Repayments have been made. Nichol admitted three counts of making a dishonest representation for obtaining benefit.

Greg Hoare, representing Nichol, said the level of his partner’s pay would not had led to a complete stop of benefits.