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Oldham man illegally claimed £16,000 benefits

A man from Oldham fraudulently claimed a series of benefits, pocketing some £16,000 over a number of years - even though he had more than £100,000 in the bank. 

Appearing at Tameside Magistrates' Court, Michael Johnson was given a 12 weeks jail term, suspended for one year, plus ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. 

The 55-year-old pleaded guilty to three separate offences stretching back to claims for benefits, including Employment Support, Universal Credit and Jobseekers' Allowance. 

Magistrates said he had been fraudulent from the outset with the claims being totally unnecessary, considering the savings he already had. 

They ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £115. 

His address was given as High Street in Lees. 

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