A FATHER-of-three falsely claimed more than £21,000 in benefits while his wife worked at Pound-stretcher, magistrates heard.

Barry Mushet, 42, was left unable to work after serio-usly injuring his leg around 20 years ago, the Reedley court was told.

Mushet, of Chapel Street, Nelson, claimed income support, council tax benefit, and housing benefit, for up to four-and-a-half years.

But an investigation by the Department of Work and Pensions discovered his partner, Ann Robertson, had been employed as a sales assistant at Poundstretcher from October 2004 to April 2009.

Richard Taylor, prosecuting on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions, said Mushet had signed forms claiming that neither he, nor his partner, were in work.

The total overpayment of benefits was £21, 831.

Interviewed by department officials, he said he thought his partner could work part-time, without it affecting his entitlements.

Brian Irlam, defending, said his client’s benefits claim was ‘totally genuine’at the outset, following his accident.

Mushet had been forced to walk using crutches since then, and had not been able to work, he added.

The court heard Mushet had been in a ‘quite volatile’ relationship with Ms Robertson, caused by her drinking.

Mr Irlam said the defendant had been under the misapprehension that, if she worked less than 16 hours per week, then his benefit claim would not be affected.

Magistrates released Muset on bail for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.