A PENSIONER knowingly defrauded the Government out of £10,000 by claiming more benefits than he was entitled to, a court heard.

For more eight years, Alan Shaw failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that his partner was in employment, amassing an additional £10,106.91 in council tax benefit, housing benefit and pension credit.

Shaw, of Ravensworth Avenue, Bishop Auckland, admitted he failed to notify the DWP of his change in circumstances between April 2005 and April this year.

The 73-year-old also pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain pension credit on December 7 2009.

Vickie Wilson, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court in County Durham today (Tuesday, January 14), said Shaw had also asked his daughter-in-law to withhold the information when acting on his behalf.

“This was a multiple fraud over a significant period of time and one fraud was from the outset,” she added.

Mike Clark, mitigating, suggested probation reports should be carried before Mr Shaw is sentenced.

No further mitigation was given.

The case was adjourned until Monday, January 20.

Mr Shaw received unconditional bail.