A MAN was spared a jail sentence after being found guilty of benefit fraud totalling almost £21,000.

Michael McBride, 50 of Cherry Tree Drive, failed to declare changes in his circumstances between June 2009 and March 2013, meaning he received housing benefit he was not entitled to and avoided council tax charges.

McBride pleaded guilty at St Helens Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to four counts of benefit fraud and tax avoidance amounting to £20,506.

The court heard that McBride – who has a previous conviction for an offence of a similar nature dating back to 2005 – failed to notify authorities of the change in his circumstances when he started living with his partner Amanda Thompson as husband and wife.

In November 2011, he submitted and signed further claim forms in which, once again, he failed to declare his new circumstances.

The court was told McBride, who has now recovered from a spinal injury he suffered in the past, has been in full-time employment for three or four years and has no issues with drugs or alcohol.

Lee Arnold, defending, said: "The defendant has entered an early guilty plea and co-operated with the investigation. Quite a lot of offenders in this type of case avoid the issue and interviews, whereas he has complied with procedure.

"His original claim in 2007 was legitimate, before he began his relationship.

"He deeply and bitterly regrets his actions. And, all credit to him, he has started paying back the money despite his modest salary.

"He is willing to work unpaid at weekends to give back to society what he has taken."

Mr Arnold appealed to magistrates to spare McBride jail sentence, saying: "How would that serve the community? If he goes into custody he would lose his job and would not be able to pay back what he owes; it may also jeopardise his relationship and he is planning to get married next year."

Magistrates sentenced McBride to 26 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months, 200 hours unpaid work over 12 months and asked him to pay costs of £160.