A MARRIED man who claimed to be single to rake in thousands of pounds in benefits that he was not entitled to has walked free from court.

Philip Codling, from Leyburn in North Yorkshire, was said by his barrister to be “a classic case of someone burying their head in the sand”.

Codling collected just short of £7,000 in Employment Support Allowance by not revealing he was managing a household with his working wife, Beverley.

The 52-year-old was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court and admitted dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told him: “This was a fraud on the public. That’s what it amounts to. Everybody pays their taxes to ensure people have benefits they are entitled to, and you were not entitled to this.”

Prosecutor Yvonne Taylor told the court that Codling initially denied any wrongdoing, but evidence showed his wife was maintaining him during the claim period between September 2013 and December 2014.

Jonathan Walker, mitigating, said Codling, of Parkins Garth, Leyburn, was not fit to work, and told the court: “His health is not good on a number of fronts.”

He added: “It may well be that the prosecution itself has had, for this defendant at his age and of his character, the necessary deterrent effect,.

“I suspect the court can have very considerable confidence of there being no repetition. He took advantage of a position that presented itself to him.

“It was not designed for high living, it was designed for survival.

“He was someone who buried his head in the sand. This is a man who has learned a harsh lesson.”

The court heard how Coding has been paying back £18.35 a week from his benefits since his crime was spotted, and almost £1,000 has been put back into the public purse.

Judge Bourne-Arton told him: “I have read your letter in which you clearly demonstrate an appreciation of what you have done was wrong, and I’m reasonably confident you will not offend again.”