TWO Chinese takeaway bosses who failed to declare a counter assistant's full earnings were both given a conditional discharge by magistrates yesterday.

Investigators for the Department for Work and Pensions kept regular watch on the Chop Suey House, in Church Street, Shildon, where 22-year-old Louise Hopper worked for eight months.

Wing Hong Ho, 60, of Eade Close, Newton Aycliffe, admitted making a false statement to social security staff that Ms Hopper worked two nights a week when she actually worked four nights. He also admitted to intentionally obstructing a social security inspector.

His former business partner, Chung Key Ng, 54, of High Street, Jarrow, admitted supplying a list of employees without Ms Hopper's name on it and obstructing the inspector.

Mr Ng's solicitor, David Hatfield, said: "He was topping up the girl's wages with cash because he felt sorry for her."

Both men were ordered to pay £300 in costs. Ms Hopper, of Pine Tree Crescent, Shildon, appeared before the same court in June.

She was fined £50 for working while claiming Income Support and ordered to pay back £3,501.55 of benefit.