A man who committed benefit fraud to the tune of £10,643.02, has avoided a jail sentence.

Shaun Walton, 35, wrongly claimed advance payments on Universal Credit by knowingly filling in online forms incorrectly.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Walton, who at the time had no children, was single, did not pay rent and did not have a job, first filled in an application for Universal Credit in January 2019.

Prosecuting, Claire Brocklebank told the court that ordinarily, Universal Credit claims take five weeks to actioned, and therefore, to receive payments quicker, claimants can request an advanced payment.

She said: “In January 2019 an online claim form was completed in the defendant’s name, saying he was single, unemployed and had no children.

“Moments later £640 in housing costs were requested and four children were added to the claim form.

“An advanced payment was requested and £541 was paid to him. No further payments were made and the claim was closed.

“Two months later a further claim for £750 was made for housing costs and five children later added to the claim, with an advanced payment of £1,525.44 made.

“This claim was then closed in April.”

Ms Brocklebank said further similar claims were lodged with the Department for Work and Pensions, with one such application claiming money for a fourth child who was registered blind. This provided Walton with an advanced payment on £1,144.08.

The court heard how later, in October, a joint claim was made, this time with Walton adding a woman called Sophie Johnson onto the form, and three children, seeking £700 in housing costs and receiving a payment of £1,144.08.

Ms Brocklebank went on: “This claim was closed in November when the defendant said he was moving to Spain.”

A further 18 advanced payment claims were lodged with the DWP up until October 2021, some of which were refused.

At the time, Walton, who has no previous convictions, was also receiving monthly Universal Credit payments.

In total, he defrauded the DWP out of £10,643.02.

When interviewed, Walton, 35, said he knew about the claims and said it was his friend who had made changes to the forms, but later made full admissions to the offences.

Offering mitigation, Umar Shazad said his client was extremely remorseful and had been struggling with the death if his grandfather at the time, and had spiralled into drink and drug addiction.

He said: “He has set up a payment plan with the DWP on his own initiative and has paid back more than £1,000 already and intends to carry on paying that back.”

Walton, of Coronation Grove, Newchurch, Rossendale, pleaded guilty to 22 counts of retaining a wrongful credit and was handed eight months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 15 rehabilitation activity days and undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.