A BENEFIT claimant failed to declare his wife was self-employed, and had run a catering business for six years, a court heard.

John Francis’ initial income support claim, in 1995, was genuine, as he suffered a level of disability.

Durham Crown Court heard it became employment support allowance, in 2013.

Vince Ward, prosecuting, said: “He declared there was no household income, so he was afforded those benefits, but, what he did not declare, was that his wife was self-employed in a catering business, from April 2008.”

Mr Ward said inquiries revealed that Francis’ wife was registered for VAT at the time, while the defendant was insured as a van driver and described as a company ‘employee’.

Despite denials in three interviews, between August 2015 and the following January, Francis, 59, of Low Moor Road, Langley Moor, Durham, admitted four counts of benefit fraud, at a magistrates’ court hearing.

The case was sent to crown court for sentence, due to the level of overpayment, said to be £70,096, between 2008 and 2014.

Angus Taylor, for Francis, said he suffered osteoarthritis, a legacy of working as a diesel fitter for an hgv transport company, which led to the initial claim.

Mr Taylor said in time it is hoped, “a solution can be found to suit all parties as to repayment”

Recorder Ben Nolan said he was conscious of the defendant’s on-going health problems, and imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

A crime proceeds’ confiscation hearing has been provisionally listed for the court, next May .