A BENEFITS cheat who claimed taxpayers' money while he owned three homes and ran a business has been locked up and billed for more than £58,000.

John Adnett, from Breamore in the New Forest, was arrested as he was getting ready to flee the country.

He falsely claimed job seekers allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit from 2002 to 2007.

All the time, he was running a guesthouse in Bournemouth and owned homes in Boscombe, Florida and Bulgaria.

Adnett, 57, pleaded guilty to nine offences of falsely claiming benefits.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Adnett was arrested in September as he was preparing to leave the country.

He remained in custody until he was sentenced because of fears he would try to escape abroad.

Following his arrest, New Forest District Council obtained their first-ever restraint order to prevent Adnett disposing of his assets.

A spokesman for the council said: "This was a blatant case of fraud where the claim was false from the beginning. Adnett owned property and assets, which he failed to declare to the authorities when he commenced his crimes.

"The council used powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to trace his assets and freeze them in order that money could be made available to repay the council and the Department for Work and Pensions."

Adnett was sentenced to ten months behind bars and ordered to pay £15,000 court costs. He must also pay £40,582.46 in compensation to New Forest District Council and £2,420 compensation to the Department for Work and Pensions.