ROBERT Smith continued to claim benefits when he got a job because he needed the cash to buy a headstone for his son's grave.

Blackburn magistrates were told that when Smith obtained work at a bakery he thought it would only be temporary and had not notified the DSS.

But the job then become permanent and Smith continued to claim benefits for 32 weeks when he was not entitled.

Smith, 28, of Waterloo Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three offences of making a false statement to obtain benefit and asked for 30 offences to be taken into consideration.

He was put on probation for two years and ordered to complete 40 hours community punishment and pay £75 costs.

The court heard that between November 1999 and July 2000 Smith had been working at Crossfield Foods earning about £118 a week.

Over the period he received benefit of £4,866 to which he was not entitled. When questioned he said he needed the additional money for his son's headstone.

Stephen Parker, defending, said Smith had no previous convictions and the offence had been committed following the death of his son.

"He wanted to arrange for the funeral and a decent headstone and he thought the employment he secured would be temporary," said Mr Parker.

"He didn't notify the DSS as he should have done and simply allowed things to continue. He is remorseful and there is no likelihood of him committing further offences."