A 69-YEAR-OLD Bournemouth benefits cheat has been sentenced to eight months in jail after pleading guilty to benefit fraud amounting to more than £10,000.

The case has prompted a warning to fraudulent claimants that they “will not get away with it”.

William Chapman, 69, was sentenced on Friday July 19 at Bournemouth Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.

The Youngs Road resident was charged with six offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and was successfully prosecuted by Bournemouth Borough Council. The offences relate to him failing to declare a pension which he knew would affect his housing benefit claim and he was jailed for four months.

This invoked a previous suspended four month prison sentence given in February 2008, when he was convicted for falsely claiming housing and council tax benefit.

Cllr Anne Filer, Bournemouth council’s cabinet member for corporate efficiency, said: “To those people who attempt to claim benefits falsely, this conviction sends an important message – you will not get away with it.

“The vast majority of Bournemouth residents are honest and truthful in their benefit claims and they will be much reassured that our professional team of investigators will seek out and prosecute the minority of fraudulent claimants.”

Bournemouth council has started investigations into 61 allegations of benefit fraud and been involved in the successful prosecution of 15 people since April 1. Between April 1 2012 and March 31 2013, the cCouncil investigated 184 allegations of benefit fraud.

If you think someone you know is claiming benefit that they are not entitled to, you can report your suspicions by ringing 01202 451536 or via the council website on bournemouth.gov.uk