COUNCIL chiefs have warned people against defrauding the benefit system after a pensioner was convicted for failing to declare bank accounts totalling more than £50,000.

The man, who also failed to declare income from his life assurance policy, admitted that he was aware that he would not have received benefit if he had declared his assets.

Durham Magistrates' Court heard he received £6,522 of housing and council tax benefit which he was not entitled to.

Since 2000, the pensioner committed 11 offences of benefit fraud.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £100 for each count and was ordered to pay £100 in costs.

Jayne Henderson, revenues and benefits manager at Chester-le-Street District Council, said: "This prosecution is an excellent result for the council, as the defendant was financially punished for defrauding the benefit system.

"The fine should act as a serious warning to others who think they can defraud the local community of resources that are meant for those with a genuine need.

"The benefits team at the council is committed to paying housing or council tax benefit to genuine claimants, ensuring they receive the full amount of benefit they are entitled to.

"Over the last two years, we've successfully prosecuted more than 30 fraudsters.

"We are currently investigating a number of other cases which we believe will lead to successful prosecutions over the next few months."