A GULF War veteran who survived a bomb attack by US planes has admitted fraudulently claiming benefits.

Gary Mark Russell, 38, of Evansleigh Road, Consett, County Durham, pleaded guilty to two counts of making false claims for Council Tax and housing benefit, totalling £4,433.35.

Appearing at Consett Magistrates' Court, he asked for six similar offences to be taken into consideration.

John Flynn, prosecuting on behalf of Derwentside District Council, said Russell had failed to declare that his girlfriend had moved in with him, and that she was working.

The court heard how he served in the Army in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and during the first Gulf War.

While in Kuwait, he was mentioned in dispatches for his courage after his unit was bombed in a friendly fire incident by US forces. Several of his friends died in the attack.

After he left the Army, Russell found work as a steel erector, but an accident at work left him disabled.

Mark Davies, in mitigation, said Russell had amassed large debts after he left the Armed Forces, and that once he became unable to work, he could not meet the repayments.

Magistrates imposed a one-year community rehabilitation order and ordered him to pay £150 costs.

* A second disabled former soldier, who also appeared at the court, admitted falsely claiming more than £16,000 in benefits.

Ian Bridge, 45, of Fines Road, Medomsley, near Consett, pleaded guilty to two counts of making false claims for £13,428.70 in housing benefit and £3,828.77 in Council Tax benefit. He asked for ten similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Bridge had left the Army after nine years when he sustained a back injury. He admitted failing to tell benefits officers he had a bank account and an Army pension.

The court imposed a one-year community rehabilitation order and ordered him to pay £220 costs.